The Antidote
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Life is a series of complex problems that make it difficult. These problems, limitless in their variety, are not unique however, whatever our problems, we are not the first nor will we be the last to be plagued by them.
I say this because there is great temptation for each of us to wail “woe is me” when problems surface and leave us perplexed. Fortunately there are those who have gone before us who have risen to the occasion and solved, vanquished or remedied.
Some problems poison life, making it unpleasant and perhaps even unbearable at times. The good news is that the things that poison our life have their antidotes.
The hope is that we find and are willing to administer the antidote before it becomes too late. Sadly, tragically sometimes, we find those unable or unwilling to do those things that would alleviate or eliminate even their most painful problems.
This really is unfortunate and ultimately it is unnecessary. So much suffering could be eradicated from our lives if we were more willing to pay the price to discover peace.
In our pursuit to discover our own antidotes, I think it’s important to also acknowledge that we can be, or have the solution to end someone else’s suffering. I wonder if this is what Christ was trying to teach us when he said we were meant to be salt, leaven and lights.
Although we may not always recognize it, I’ve come to recognize that peace is the ultimate desire of the human soul. True peace comes as we transcend the suffering and difficulty of our human condition.
Peace however seems to be elusive in our world that is increasingly filled with turmoil and terror, conflict and commotion, polarization and pandemics.
There are no quick fixes or easy solutions to finding peace. There are no formulas, life hacks or shortcuts. There is however a clearly marked and defined road to peace, but too few seem willing to pursue it these days.
It’s the same road that a few fisherman took when they chose to accept an invitation to follow the Prince of Peace off the beaches of Galilee to a life a purpose, progress and peace.
The invitation was simple, “follow me” and the road to follow was clearly marked.
Though simple and clear, the pathway to peace is not easy or painless. To the contrary, the path to peace can be rigorous and painful at times, but unlike any other route, the trail we walk when we follow Jesus leads to real and lasting peace that is manifest in many ways such as confidence, optimism and joy.
Peace doesn’t mean life will be free of problems. I find no evidence in the scriptures or my own observations to support such an idea. The storms of life will always come but the man or woman who builds upon the rock of Christ is able to stand firm when the rain and floods of life come. They are able to find joy in the journey, hope through the hurt, and confidence amid the chaos.
