The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”

We live in a troubled world, surrounded by frightening situations. Turbulence is on every side. We scream for help, yet it does not come. We seek to hide, but there is no cover. What are we to do?

Then, softly there comes a voice saying, “Peace, My peace I give to you.” And the soft strength of that voice smothers the fear like a blanket covering threatening flames. His peace has become my peace. I am no longer afraid.

Something like this was the experience of an American pilot whose airplane was shot from the sky by enemy forces. One moment he was in control; then, hit and ejected from his plane, he was grounded, hurt, in the dark, and all alone. Yet, in that darkness, wounded and hurting, he was mysteriously led to safety and ultimately rescued.

His experience was unique – yet have we not all experienced something similar? Have we not encountered obstacles that hindered our progression? Have we not experienced leadership that was not of our own making?

Remember Jacob. Tired and worn out from travel, he spent the night with his head on a stone and dreamed of a ladder that reached into Heaven. Yet, upon awakening, he said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it” (Genesis 28:16).

More often than not, the LORD is near us. Our weariness merely overshadows His presence. We think we are alone. Yet, He is always near. As the song goes, “Standing somewhere in the shadows, we’ll find Jesus.” The wise counsel is: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need, until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom