Peace and Quiet. Awww...the dynamic duo every Mom dreams of! As I write these words, my three wildly creative kiddos are building a fort together. Most days, this attempt creates more chaos than concord, but today, I'm experiencing a simple glimpse of peace. And an ever so rare quiet consisting of whispers and giggles as teamwork commences.

Friends, there are days where peace seems like the farthest thing from my grasp. And the boisterously loud echo of everything except quiet is reverberating.

Are you in a pursuit of peace? Or searching for quiet? And I'm not talking about a few desirable minutes (which don't get me wrong, those are crucial, too!) But, no, I mean a peace that brings more than just a quiet home. A peace that instills a quiet and hopeful heart.

If your answer is yes, I pray this message takes you a step closer in your pursuit of peace!

My Small Group has been studying five women in the Bible: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary. There is something intriguing about each of these woman. And it's not just that they are all named and explained as women being in the genealogy of Jesus Christ, although that is awesome! It was the peace that each one of these women portrayed in their stories that is intriguing.

I don't believe they always felt at peace or handled things with a peaceful heart, I mean read their stories and you tell me what YOU would have done in their situation! BUT, even though each of these women were faced with circumstances of never ending chaos, they all chose instead to be in the pursuit of peace, a peace bigger than themselves.

How did they begin to pursue this perfect peace?

"Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved by understanding."

- Albert Einstein

Well for starters, they all knew that there was nothing in their own power that would change their hearts or even their circumstances. But they knew of The One who could. Their understanding of this truth, paved way for their pursuit to begin!

Let's take Rahab for example (Joshua 2), there was nothing in her life that resembled peace! I mean, her first introduction in this passage was that she was a Canaanite prostitute. Yet, when she was faced with two spies sent by the God of Israel; the same God who's stories shook fear in the Canaanites and all who heard them, Rahab instead was instilled with peace. A peace that she couldn't even explain, but chose to trust and understand that He had a power unlike anyone she ever knew.

Why did they persevere on this path?

"Walk in the direction where peace is found."

- Steven Aitchison

Even before the Prince of Peace walked this earth, the prophecy of His coming and mission were told. These weren't just stories told over the years, they went hand-in-hand with the power of God revealed in His Word and through His actions of deliverance, grace and love.

These women heard the stories of God's power to wipe out nation after nation for the deliverance of His Chosen People. And even though these women weren't labeled as "God's Chosen People", they believed in His power and had faith in a divine intervention.

Ruth, who followed her mother-in-law, Naomi even after the tragic death of her husband didn't return to her native land of Moab, but instead faithfully followed Naomi back to her homeland of Judah. Very few words were spoken by Ruth in all 5 chapters of this book, yet these words speak volumes of who she is, "But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God." (Ruth 1:16)

What was revealed at the end of their quest?

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power. The world will know peace."

- Jimi Hendrix

It wasn't necessarily what but WHO was revealed. At the end of their quest for peace, these women each played a vital role in coming of the Prince of Peace!

Mary, the one we all know as the mother of Jesus, held the very peace we seek in her loving arms.

I, myself, have had glimpses of this peace. It's so beautiful! That even just a taste of it makes my pursuit more passionate! Will life always be smooth sailing and simple? Absolutely not! In fact, it may be the exact opposite of that (see John 16:33 below) However, no matter the mountain we may face Christ's ultimate sacrifice has given us victory!

I love the reminder that Christ came not to bring us peace, but reveal an everlasting peace that is ours if we embrace it. (Matthew 10:34)

Every story in the Bible is told for a reason. Each detail has a purpose! One deeper than any of us can even comprehend here on earth! And we don't need to comprehend every aspect of who God is, we simply must trust that He alone is worthy of our pursuit of peace!

Heavenly Father, You alone are God! The deliverer of a perfect peace! We thank You for the gracious gift that we can pursue each day and anticipate for eternity when that special day comes! Please give us wisdom to grow closer to You each day and help us be a witness that shines the light only You can give! May our pursuit never diminish but flourish through grace! Thank you for all You do for us! In You Holy Name, Amen.

*Keep an eye out for my upcoming collection of these five women, titled: Chosen for HIStory.