By Katy Mariotti

Surpassing Understanding

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7 English Standard Version

My kids’ school celebrates Arbor Day every year with outdoor activities and education. This year I got to accompany my daughter on a walk to the lake, to do a nature scavenger hunt and see if there were any living creatures to be found in the water. This field trip ended up being more chaotic than I expected. The day was cold (and so was the water), and the children did not excel at keeping track of their items, keeping their feet dry, or staying together!

At one point as children were yelling all around us about what they had found and how cold they were, my daughter pointed out this deer. There she was, in the midst of the chaos, totally unperturbed. I was amazed she didn’t stand up and wander off to a more peaceful location.

I love this passage in Philippians. We hear it so often at the end of service at our church that sometimes the words can go by without my really thinking about them. But when I look closer, my favorite line is “which surpasses all understanding.” I may struggle with anxiety, but the peace I have in my heart that God is always in charge and loved me so much that He sent Jesus, that peace DOES surpass understanding. There is a lot of chaos in the world. Pain is real. Loss is real. And yet here there is still peace in my heart.

I pray for you today that you feel the peace of Christ. Let it surpass your understanding and know that your hearts and minds are guarded!

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado