Happy 15th Anniversary, Peace
This past Sunday morning Shari and I sang a song that has almost become a theme song for us. I realized as I pulled it out to practise that it was almost exactly 15 years ago that I wrote it.
Though the storm clouds darken the sky
It was actually soon after I met Shari, when we were training for our year of ministry with our Friends and Followers team in 1993. I wrote it for a friend who was going through a hard time, putting it down on paper when I was supposed to be listening to one of our sessions (there’s still some critical bit of missionary training that I’m missing – that explains a lot!).
In Mexico, later that year, we worked with Becky Baron, a CAM missionary who was an accomplished musician and music translator. She translated Peace for me (Paz in Spanish), and our team used it as one of our songs through our tour.
After Shari and I were married, we started singing it as a duet, in both English and Spanish. And it still got a little extra polish earlier this year when we made some small additions in Spanish, while visiting Becky and her husband in Mexico City.
To celebrate its 15th anniversary, I thought I’d write this post and share a few of the verses that inspired the song. Singing Peace has always been a reminder to me that, even in the darkest times, Jesus is walking with us, leading us home.
Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them. Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going. (John 6:16-21)
And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jer 29:13)
Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. (Isa 55:6)
But as it is written:
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Heb 13:5)
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Rom 8:28)
There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. (Heb 4:9)
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. (Heb 12:22-24)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Eph 6:10-11)
Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. (Mat 25:13)
He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people he will take away from all the earth; for the LORD has spoken. (Isa 25:8)
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (Joh 14:3)
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (Joh 14:27)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phi 4:6-7)
And walk me gently through the sand of time
Forevermore
I know Your peace is mine