John 14:27b my peace I give unto you

Have you ever been given a sales pitch that talks about an introductory offer? It usually details great benefits or savings which are only available right now. This is one of those things which makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck. My experiences say whatever I got for a “good deal” was coming with hidden cost I don’t want. Every offer comes with a down side. Except one.

In 1963 I was a troubled youth with anger issues. In church one day I said in my heart “I don’t want to be this way.” When I raised my hand to the alter call, I met Jesus and He gave me His peace. Mind you, I had no idea that this was nothing but an introductory offer. I receive the answer to my prayer, faint and misled as it might have been, my anger disappeared.

I was so focused on the anger being gone, that I did not recognize that the peace was my first encounter with Jesus. No stipulations were give, no conditions were identified, peace was mine and it has never been taken away, altered, or in any way used against me.

It was the first gift, but not the last. If I had recognized it for what it really was, I would have paid closer attention to the other offers that were lying in wait for me to accept. I could have received the abundant life much earlier than what I did. I would have caused less pain in other people’s lives had I known.

The free gifts of my Lord and Savior may come to me but they are meant to enrich the lives of everyone I touch.