The Bible On Trial

Inner Peace~

I was driving home today from errands, and as I passed a local Yoga studio I noticed a hand written sign hanging from the business marquis that said, "Peace? Inquire Within!"

This prompted a thought that flew into my mind, given the central theme of our radio programs for the past few weeks. and that was, 'Is the meaning of this sign LITERAL, or SPIRITUAL?'

Two years ago last March for my birthday my daughter gave me a one year membership to a high end yoga studio in the town in which she now lives with her husband. In fact, she and her husband met for the first time in that very studio, and a romance developed that led to their marriage a year ago April 1. I learned a lot during this year of yoga classes, not the least of which is that there is a definite mechanical relationship (Hatha yoga) between relaxed and deliberate breathing, called Ujjayi breathing, and becoming peaceful in the body. The art of Pranayama yoga is finding peace in the spirit. As I drove past the sign I wondered if the owners of the yoga business realized that there was a double meaning attached to what they were advertising; either finding peace by coming into their store, or finding peace from within the body and spirit.

We have come to understand in our study of the words of Jesus that true peace come from an inner source, and that this peace is not derived from either a physical or mystical source. True peace is found by 'Abiding in' (living in) the words of Jesus, making them part of our very being. It is not a 'feeling' of peace imposed by an outside spirit, that may or may not be from God. It is peace that comes from 'Knowing our Master, and His will', because we know His words, because they are the words of the Father. The Spirit that Jesus breathed upon His disciples in John 20:19-23 is the same Spirit that will bring us true peace.