A traveler comes to the top of a dune and all that he can see is more dunes. As he walks further, finally, in the distance, he sees the shape of palm trees. As he nears the palms, it is what he hoped for, an oasis in the middle of this vast desert.

Life is very much this way. How many times do we feel that we are in the middle of the desert with no relief in sight? Where is the oasis?

For Christians, we have the opportunity to experience an oasis every day. God is our shield as we read in Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” The day doesn’t have to feel like trouble in order for us to not be at peace. Any part of the day that takes our focus away from God is time that we are not at the oasis.

The cause for our lack of peace can be self-inflicted such as we see with David as he pursued Bathsheba, Jonah when he fled from God and Nineveh, or Peter when he struggled with denying Christ. There can also be outside sources that negatively affect our peace. Coworkers, family, friends, and even the driver of the car that cut you off on the highway make peace harder to come by.

No matter the cause, we must work our way back to the oasis. A great way to do this is through fellowship with other Christians. Attending church services and other activities allows peace to be within grasp. It is always easier to achieve a goal with like-minded people than by ourselves.

Never stop striving for the oasis, and once you have it, hang on with all your might. But don’t forget the most important fact, you are not in this alone. As we read Jesus’ words to His disciples in John 14:27, the message is still relevant for us today.

“Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

-Brock Mayberry