Today in Numbers.

Days since I last blogged: 21.
Hours of sleep I got last night: 5.5.
Emails in my Biola inbox: 333.
How many of those are unread: 26.
Emails in my other inbox: 126.
Photos I took yesterday: 358.
Texts sent: 26.
Tweets so far: 5.
Cups of coffee: 1 (surprisingly).
Phone calls: 3.
Hours spent in a classroom: 2.
Minutes spent napping: 15.
Minutes spent in the olive grove: 30.
Predicted hours of homework: 6.

Vanity Search.

Today, in one of my journalism classes, my professor was talking about doing a "vanity search" — searching for your name on google to see what comes up. She talked about how employers will do just that, and it's important to know what's there. Now, to be honest, I've googled my name before. But I thought, "Hey, why not, let's see what there is." I skimmed through some pages of information—mostly social networking stuff, newspaper articles, and the video contest from last semester. Then I saw a page labeled with "Jones Soda."

A couple of years ago, I had submitted photos online to try and get them printed on the labels of their bottles. I had never heard anything about it, though. Well, I opened the PDF, and it was all of the labels that were printed in February 2009. I skimmed the pictures, but didn't see any that looked like mine. However, I searched my name, and there it was: a picture I had taken of all the beaded necklaces I owned. I started laughing. Oh, the things you learn from google. It's pretty creepy, but kind of awesome.

Seeking peace? Take heart.

The last 96 hours or so of my life have been all kinds of busy. I have had a multitude of things to do, and there has been a lot on my mind. It’s been great, though, and I have so many things I could say. Here’s a brief run-down of my last four days:

Found out on Friday that I made SOS.
Left that afternoon for a weekend in the mountains with junior highers.
Spent the next two days doing whatever I could for my girls.
Was challenged to go back and focus on the message of the cross.
Had my mind blown by the profound words of a 12-year-old girl.
Met someone from NorCal who’s been to my hometown and knows someone I went to high school with.
Saw the wonder-filled faces of kids seeing snow for the first time.
Got homesick at the sight of so much snow.
Took hundreds of photos.
Returned to campus and was met with a pile of homework.
Joined the Biola community in worship led by Charlie Hall.
Tackled more homework and classes.
Went to the first SOS meeting.

I want to expand on a number of these events, but I have something pressing much more deeply on my heart. I would like to tell you about it.

One of the songs that Charlie Hall led on Sunday night was called, “Come For Me.” Part of the chorus was:

“And you’ll come for me,
No more pain—peace,
No more fear—release.”

Upon singing this, I considered when was the last time I truly felt peace.
I couldn’t remember.

I get caught up in worry, stress, and busyness far too easily. Even when I’m talking with God, I don’t always let go of the thread of unrest that is buried deep inside of me. He wants to grant me peace, so why don’t I let Him?

I grabbed a couple of my Bibles, and I flipped open their concordances. I wrote down every reference for “peace” and then began looking them up in a couple of different translations. Here are a number of the verses that really stood out to me:

The Lord gives strength to his people;
the Lord blesses his people with peace.  -Psalm 29:11 

Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.  -Psalm 34:14 

Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your instruction;
nothing makes them stumble.  -Psalm 119:165 (Holman CSB)

A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.  -Proverbs 14:30 

You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.  -Isaiah 26:3 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  -John 14:27 

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.  -John 16:33 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  -Galatians 5:22-23 

For He Himself is our peace…  -Ephesians 2:14 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  -Philippians 4:6-7 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  -Colossians 3:15 

He must seek peace and pursue it, because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their request.  -1 Peter 3:11-12

I’ve heard many, if not all, of these verses multiple times. But looking at them as a whole I saw the patterns of peace.

We are blessed with peace…
We must seek and pursue peace…
We are given abundant peace…
He will keep us in perfect peace…
We are called to peace…
Our peace is a reflection of Christ in us…

Now, it’s not like I meditated on all of these verses and suddenly everything clicked and I’ve never felt better. That’s just not so. However, I am learning. I have so much farther to go, but Christ continues to lead me. His peace is reminding me of the outlook I ought to have.

I encourage you, friends, to examine where you’re at and don’t take it lightly. I challenge you to seek peace—pursue that to which you are called. Don’t be fooled into thinking that you’re only important when running solely on “full-speed ahead.” Are you stressed, struggling, or consumed with worry? Take heart—Christ has overcome it all. He desperately wants to grant you peace. Let Him.