Thursday, December 9, 2021

Finding God's Peace

Finding God's Peace

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:11-13 (NIV) - "The Lord said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.' Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'"

Message: Recently, my mother died after a heart attack, my brother and I did everything in our power to receive emergency medical attention. It was a very difficult situation for the whole family to see her leave so suddenly and abruptly. Many people accompanied us in the midst of our pain with their presence and prayers; they gave us words of encouragement and good wishes for our family. However, our hearts were very restless, even knowing that now she is in the presence of God, in a better place, where there is no more pain or suffering. But we had a lot of questions, a lot of anxiety, and deep sadness.

We had some time with neighbors, family, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ. Finally, we drove to the cemetery for burial and the last goodbye. When everyone left, we were still stunned, but suddenly, under the tree where we were in front of my mother's grave, a soft wind blew on our faces. Only the family had stayed; that wind caused hundreds of leaves to fall from the tree, a wind of peace and tranquility that made us feel like the presence of God was manifested in front of us. There was no wind blowing other trees. At that moment we knew that our mother was fine, living that permanent peace, the Shalom of God.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we pray for all people that are in need of feeling your gentle whisper in their lives, to find your peace in the midst of sadness and difficult times. May they be full of hope; we pray that Your arrival can be an experience of peace and joy. Amen.

Reverend Juan Di de os Perla
Bishop of the Evangelical Methodist Church of El Salvador
President of the Council of Bishops of Latin America & the Caribbean