The Picture of Peace by Bonnie Peacock

An art competition was held that challenged artists to capture on canvas “peace.” What does peace look like? It is one thing to explain it, but another to paint it.

The entries came trickling in, well before the appointed date. Rewards, recognition, and exposure would be given the one picture that best portrayed “peace.” Some pictures were of gentle streams and bubbling brooks. Others were of gentle rolling fields where wildflowers swayed lazily in the soft breeze. There were radiant sunrises and pastel sunsets. There were visions of waves rolling, time and again, against a sandy shore. One portrayed a green pasture on a warm, sunny afternoon. A mare with its foal stood in the distance, while fat cattle dozed lazily in the shade under a cluster of old oak trees. Several churches were entered. Some were simple and serene, while others loomed regal and dominating.

The canvas that took first place was none of these though. The picture that had best communicated “peace” was of a tall mountain that was being battered by a raging storm. The dark, heavy clouds were pouring out blinding torrents of rain on the unprotected landscape. The howling wind drove the sheets of water mercilessly against the rocky terrain. There, in the side of the tall mountain was a crevice in the hard rock, and nestled in the cleft was a tiny bird. While the winds and water swirled and beat around him, he sat in complete protection, with his little head thrown back as he thrilled out a song in the middle of the storm! That is peace. All around him there was darkness and the elements raged, but safely tucked in the cleft in the rock, he was safe. He was secure.

No wonder, as children of God, tears fill our eyes and spill down our checks as we sing “Rock of Ages” and “The Solid Rock.” We know exactly what it’s like to be sheltered from the storms of life and the ravages of a world gone mad. We’ve all ran to the Rock that is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Psalmist put it like this, “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy” (Psalm 61:1-3).

Peace is not the absence of chaos, problems, and pain, but it’s in being sheltered, by the Rock of Ages, in the midst of chaos, problems, and pain. Peace is found only when we are in the presence of the Prince of Peace. “Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength” (Isaiah 26:3-4).  

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