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Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today…

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one

Those words, written by John Lennon in 1971, became the lyrics to his single best selling song, entitled, “Imagine.” I have to wonder…what was it that made that song so successful? Maybe it was the musical talent… Or was it just a catchy melody? It may be catchy, but there were many catchy tunes before John Lennon and there have been many since. So what was it that set this one apart? I think I know what it was: the heart!

John Lennon struck a chord with people by identifying with one of the deepest longings of the human heart: a desire to experience perfect and lasting peace. John Lennon put into words what you and I already know: that though we spend our lives grasping at peace, it’s never truly ours. Just when we think everything is settled, something happens and peace is shattered. It’s the call from the Dr. asking you to come in for some more tests because there were some problems at your last exam. It’s the unexpected expense that pushes you beyond your financial limits and steals away your comfort. It’s the family member who you can’t get along with. It’s the job that you walk back into day after day even though your heart’s not in it. It’s that sinking feeling when you begin to get down or depressed and all of life seems to be anything from peaceful.

As you can imagine, John Lennon is not the first one to make a public proposal for peace.

The Bible has much to say about peace. You may have heard Jesus referred to as the prince of peace. Sometimes the Gospel is referred to as the Gospel of peace. In the book of Colossians, chapter 1, we learn that peace comes through Christ — and it was all made possible because He was willing to pay the penalty for the sins that you and I have committed. Listen to these encouraging words, spoken by Christ taken from the book of John chapter 16:
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

If you have placed your faith in Christ, trust that in every situation, He is victorious! Instead of fussing and fretting, remember to turn to Him in prayer. Allow the prince of peace to comfort you. And if you’ve not yet trusted in Christ, let today be the day that you stop running — stop resisting — and trust in the one who can bring lasting peace.