Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Dear God, I wonder what perfect peace looks like. When it comes to the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 (love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, and self control) I’ve always felt that peace was the most important barometer as to how I’m doing with you because it’s the one I can’t fake. Outwardly, I can fake love, joy, patience, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, and self control, but I can’t fake peace. And I can often get a feeling for when someone else is either at peace or not at peace. 

So how am I doing? Well, I’m on this amazing vacation right now, and I am feeling pretty good. I’ve been careful to continue to spend time with you every day of this trip, and I want to continue to do so. I just hope I’m getting out of this trip and this time away from the office what you have for me. This sabbatical that the board of directors has given to me isn’t just about time to clear my head from work. I want it to be for my whole person. 

Father, I want to come out of the other side of this time as a better servant of you, husband, father, friend, son, sibling, and community member. I want to also be completely at peace so that when others see me they will see a difference and understand that a life lived in submission to you is the path to a peaceful life that is also naturally filled with the other fruits of the Spirit. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen