Finding Peace When the World Gets Loud

The Rev. Eric Randolph, Pastor

True peace is not the absence of noise or trouble, but the presence of God’s love and our trust in God—especially when life is at its loudest.

This morning, I scrolled past a meme that read, “I used to think peace meant quiet. Then I learned peace means trustin' [sic] God when it gets loud.” It's a simple message, but it lingered with me. Maybe it’s because, living here in Washington, D.C. region, quiet is a rare commodity. D.C. has a unique energy that vibrates from a unique blend of government, business, and the diverse lives of millions of residents. Yet, the meme struck me with a deeper truth––peace is about trust, especially when the world around us is anything but quiet.

As Lutherans, when we speak of peace it’s about something deeper than just the absence of conflict. Luther taught that God’s peace isn’t found in perfect circumstances, but in the turbulence of life when the assurance of God’s presence and promise is needed the most. Even our confessional documents remind us that peace comes from reconciliation with God through Christ and not from the world’s brief moments of calm.

But this isn’t just a theological theory taught in our seminaries and preached from our pulpits. It’s a lived reality. Our faith is not a guarantee of an easy life, but a promise that God is with us in every moment—especially the difficult ones. As Christians, we’re invited into a relationship with God that trusts in the Divine’s steadfast love and to cling to it when everything around us seems to be overwhelming and uncertain.

Throughout Scripture, we find stories about people who found peace not in the quiet, but in trusting God amid the chaos. In John’s Gospel, Jesus offers comfort to all who feel the world’s noise pressing in:

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

Jesus doesn’t promise a life free from trouble. Instead, he offers a peace that contradicts the peace the world gives—a peace that endures. Paul echoes this in his letter to the Philippians:

“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”— 4:6-7

The peace that “surpasses all understanding’ isn’t dependent on our circumstances but is rooted in God’s faithfulness. Even Isaiah offers the same assurance:

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

Life in Washington, D.C. is full of loudness, a loudness more than just traffic and tourists. It’s the anxiety of job insecurity, the stress of finding affordable housing, the worry for our children’s future, and the pain of seeing our communities divided over politics. So many of our neighbors, seen month after month at our food pantry, face food insecurity, mental health struggles, and the challenge of making ends meet each month. The noise is both external and internal.

If we found peace only in the quiet, we’d rarely experience it. The good news is that God’s peace is always available. God’s love is there for us in the middle of the noise, and it comes from trusting that God is present and loves without condition. That, my friends, is God working for good even when we can’t see it.

It’s easy to feel isolated and overwhelmed in these times of turmoil and division. Yet, God’s love is boundless and isn’t limited by our circumstances. Consider Paul’s:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”— Romans 15:13

No matter where we live, what we have, or what we face, God’s love is for everyone! It’s a love that breaks into the chaos, stands beside us in our uncertainty, and will never let us go.

Friends, when life starts to get loud and you’re wondering what to do—start with trusting God. Bring to God your worries, doubts, and fears to God in prayer. Support one another in community, and seek ways to be an agent of God’s peace in our neighborhoods. And listen to those who are hurting, advocate for justice, and share broadly and boldly the hope we have in Christ. As the psalmist reminds us:

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

God’s peace isn't passive. God’s peace empowers us to act with compassion, to build bridges across divides, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

The world will continue to be noisy and chaotic, but we are held by a love that will never let go or grow silent. We’re inspired by the Holy Spirit to come to know the peace of Christ that is deeper than quiet, stronger than fear, and more enduring that any trouble. I pray you’ll go boldly into our daily lives and share that peace with all whom you encounter because they need to know it more than ever.

In the heart of Jesus,

Pastor Eric+