Chasing Peas

Remember the vegetable soup I told you about the other day?  Well, it turns out, after smelling the soup cooking all day, our precious pup, Tess, decided she wanted to partake of it as well.  She paced around the kitchen, staring at the crockpot and sniffing the air.

Being the softie I am, I scooped out a spoonful of soup and set it aside to cool.  Once it was cooled down, I poured it over a scoop of dry food into her bowl.

Now, before I go further, I should explain her food bowl is not just a big open dish.  It’s one that’s designed to slow down the eating process, and as such, it’s made up of several rings.  Typically, the design does slow her down a little but not much.  However, after giving Tess her soup and walking away to finish the dinner preparations, I noticed it was taking her a while to finish.  Concerned, I went to investigate and found that her nearby water bowl had been upturned, and she was frantically pawing at the food bowl.  Upon closer inspection, I discovered that a few peas remained in one of the circular sections of the bowl, and each time Tess tried to scoop them up, they only rolled around the dish.  Round and round they went.  After having a good laugh at the pea conundrum, I upended the bowl onto the mat underneath, and Tess happily scooped up the peas.

Oh, how I can relate to Tess’ situation.  Many times in life, I have chased after something only to have it elude me.  Often, I’ve found myself going in circles and getting more frustrated with every turn.  As I told Jason the soup story, the thought that echoed in my mind was, Tess was chasing peas like I chase peace.

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. - Psalm 34:14

According to this verse, seeking and chasing after peace is a good thing.  What isn’t good, however, is to grow frustrated by the chase.  To keep that from happening, we must be equipped with another critical verse.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. - Isaiah 26:3

Seeking and pursuing peace is much easier if we know where to find it.  This verse in Isaiah promises that God will keep us in perfect peace when our minds are stayed on Him.  I think sometimes I’m so busy chasing peace that I fail to recognize where peace comes from.  I’m so desperate to feel better and live more focused that I take my eyes off the Giver and focus solely on the gift.

Peace is a beautiful thing, but if we spend all our time and energy chasing after it, we’ll end up just like Tess with her peas.  We’ll be frustrated, aggravated, and sapped of energy.  If, however, we’ll look to the Master, He’ll upend that bowl of peace and allow it to shower down on us.  He’s a good God.  Let’s keep Him at the center of our thoughts where He belongs.