As you consider the ways you search for peace in your life, remember that true peace is greater, deeper, and better than merely a quiet moment or two. Peace is the gift of God given to his children when they are brought back into right relationship with him and can, once again, live in his presence.

What brings you peace? A quick scroll through social media reveals multiple attempts at answering that question. Some indicate that peace is a commodity we gain while sitting by a quiet lake, strolling on a wooded path, or gazing at the night sky. Others imply that a sparkling clean kitchen, a freshly made bed, a basket of folded laundry, or an inbox clear of unanswered emails will garner peace in your life. And most of us have probably said (or at least thought), “All I want is a little peace and quiet.” What we mean is, we want a quiet afternoon. And to be honest, who wouldn’t love a quiet day? Most of us would be happy with a few quiet moments! But is peace merely the absence of noise, the result of completed tasks, or something only to be found when our environment is beautiful?

No. The Bible presents the idea of peace as something much greater, much more holistic, and much more beneficial than merely a quiet afternoon. The Hebrew word for peace is shalom. And shalom is something that is meant to permeate every aspect of a person’s life with wholeness, goodness, and well-being. It’s the true peace we all long for because it’s the peace God designed us for.

We see this perfect peace in the first two chapters of the Bible— in Eden.

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