In every congregation that gathers...
Illustration
In every congregation that gathers for worship there are people who feel tired, troubled, restless, and lonely. They are searching and longing for peace, serenity, and security. Every one of us has, at some time, felt this deep need and probably prayed, in Whittier's words,
"Take from our souls the strain and stress
And let our ordered lives confess,
The beauty of thy peace."
Part of the reason for this restlessness and lack of peace is the kind of world we live in. Whenever we try to relax, it seems, all too soon, our peace is disturbed by the jangle of the telephone, the blare of a radio or television, the cry of a child, or the news in the paper. They all take an emotional and mental toll. The fact that we are not alone, but millions of others share our feelings of insecurity and loneliness does not help, either. But, if we are honest, we will admit a good share of our "strain and stress" is not caused by outside conditions, but the trouble lies within ourselves. We simply have never made an earnest effort to accept into our lives the peace Christ so freely offers.
"Take from our souls the strain and stress
And let our ordered lives confess,
The beauty of thy peace."
Part of the reason for this restlessness and lack of peace is the kind of world we live in. Whenever we try to relax, it seems, all too soon, our peace is disturbed by the jangle of the telephone, the blare of a radio or television, the cry of a child, or the news in the paper. They all take an emotional and mental toll. The fact that we are not alone, but millions of others share our feelings of insecurity and loneliness does not help, either. But, if we are honest, we will admit a good share of our "strain and stress" is not caused by outside conditions, but the trouble lies within ourselves. We simply have never made an earnest effort to accept into our lives the peace Christ so freely offers.
