DEVOTION: June 4

It defied all logic and reason and even the unsolicited wisdom that came my way. After all, who would think it’s a good idea to quit their career with nothing waiting in the wings? I still wouldn’t recommend it. And yet. I did it.

It was a nine-month journey—nine months of thinking and praying, of Bible reading and book reading. Nine months of sermons, words of encouragement, nudges from God. Nine months of coming back to the same conclusion again and again: quit.

The final confirmation was an answer to an out-loud prayer after yet another tearful talk with yet another pastor. “God, with everything in me, I think I’m supposed to quit. If I’m wrong, please throw up a wall and stop me.”

What I quickly felt (almost audibly?) was the response, “How many more confirmations do I need to give you?”

I laughed through tears, drove straight to my boss’s office and put in notice. No one was more stunned than me.

The weeks following were literally supernatural. I had peace that mimicked joy; it was as if I was walking on effervescence, floating on bubbles of carbonated peace. I literally had no other choice than to trust God with everything.

The peace He gave had every non-Christian around me shaking their heads…and also asking questions. And when weeks later I randomly got a job at my local church, the questions got deeper. They wanted to know more about this kind of peace, this kind of Jesus.

I’m not recommending quitting your job or making other rash life decisions (unless you’ve spent ample time seeking God and getting several confirmations before you proceed). But what I am recommending is being okay with God putting you in situations where the fruit of peace gets a chance to show off. When you’re smack in the middle of a storm, but the fragrance of peace permeates all around you, that is what attracts people to Jesus. How can you be so calm at a time like this? Well, friend, let me tell you how…

Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. Fruit from the same Spirit that dwelt with Jesus. It’s fruit that’s the ripest, reddest and sweetest because of its root. It satisfies all on its own, needs nothing added to it.

“I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!” (John 14:27, The Passion Translation)