Peace Like a River

The tranquil scene in this photograph, which I took while on a much needed, very relaxing road trip with my wife this spring, is about as close to peaceful as anywhere I know of on this earth. The only sounds we heard were red winged blackbirds, the low dim of the pastoral meadow stream, and the soft gentle breeze in this stunning Oregon paradise.

But then cars and trucks speed by spoiling the moment. Then I saw the empty beer cans and worm containers from thoughtful "sportsmen." Then I saw the "No Trespassing" signs. Then I saw the barbed wire fences keeping people like me out. There were several indicators that we were definitely not welcome here. I don't blame the land owners. I wouldn't want people trampling all over my portion of paradise either.

Every time I travel through this area, which is where I also grew up in the early 1970's, it brings back all the good memories I have from childhood, learning to fly fish in southern Oregon. And a part of me wants to move back here every time I visit. What a place to retire to. I never want to leave when I stop at this spot. So peaceful...

But peace is fleeting. 

I used to have a small handful of 'last best places' where I could go to sit and just be quiet...be still...and find some peace. But all those places have now been invaded by other peace seekers and sportsmen. They are all overrun. No peace is to be found there anymore. I feel like there is no place left to go...

And that's the point. 

It's something I've learned the hard way, after several decades of searching for peace 'out there'... it is not to be found...out there.

True, lasting peace is only to be experienced within. A place can't provide it, no matter how beautiful. Another person can't give it, though they love completely. No, you have to go much deeper, much higher—to the immortal. To the heavenly.

A promise from the Divine, to all those who will receive it:

"Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, And the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream."

And,

“Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst—the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

It's taken me almost sixty years to realize my peace cannot be found in a place. 

But I can truly say that the peace which surpasses understanding is freely available to all who will ask for it and receive it...

—At The End of My Line.