Know Jesus, Know Peace

Today's sermon was on peace. The world defines peace as "the absence of conflict, war, or fighting." This definition leaves much to be desired. If there's an absence, that leaves a void. Just because there's no fighting doesn't mean everything is right. What would fill this void? The peace Jesus leaves us is peace of mind. As He said, "In the world you will have trouble, but take heart, for I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). Jesus is bigger than the world, but we don't act like He is. The peace He gives is not an absence of conflict (which will never happen while Satan rules the world), but the strength to endure and even thrive despite our troubles.
The pastor used the symphony orchestra as a metaphor. When the orchestra is tuning up, it sounds like chaos. But when the conductor taps the baton, the chaos ends and the orchestra gets ready to play. However, if somebody is off, it's obvious. If someone keeps playing when they're supposed to rest, it's obvious. I think of this piece that Peter Schickele did called "New Horizons in Music Appreciation", where him and another guy acted as commentators at a performance of Beethoven's 5th Symphony. They broadcast it like it was a ballgame, using every sports analogy possible. At one point, somebody in the French horns hits a bad note, and Schickele says, "Wow! Did you hear that? Someone in the horn section really flubbed that note! I think that was one of the worst fumbles I've seen in all my days!!"  I hope to not be that guy in the horn section, the one who flubs the note and blows the whole symphony out of whack. I want to enjoy the peace God gives.