The Peaceful Man
December 4, 2002
"If you're going to San Francisco," said a song of the sixties, "you're gonna
meet some gentle people there." If you're steeped in the Sixties Culture then
you know about Jerry Garcia. You know he was, according to the Washington Post,
"the rock oracle" of the Grateful Dead, "a band that epitomizes freedom." The
New York Times said Garcia, a guitarist, was a "mellow icon of 60's idealism"
and embodied "psychedelic optimism."
You might think someone with the success of Jerry Garcia would be content. A man
at peace. After all, his band was the most popular concert attraction anywhere,
ever. When he died on August 9, 1995, as many Generation-Xers and gray-bearded
boomers mourned, Garcia had it all. Or, so it seemed. He had money, influence
and fame.
But like the generation he represented, things weren't all that blissful. Jerry
Garcia was not a peaceful man. The freedom he epitomized didn't bring him peace.
After the Dead's last concert in Chicago, Garcia checked into the Betty Ford
Center in Rancho Mirage, California, to try to deal with the heroin habit he'd
been trying to overcome for years--that and his smoking and his eating. He'd
gotten married for the third time the year before.
Many men think if they could achieve financial success they would be content.
Others think an historic accomplishment would bring contentment. Yet, men like
Jerry Garcia stand as proof that such things don't bring contentment. A man's
music may be bliss to decades of followers while the singer is filled with
despair.
None of us want to end up like Jerry Garcia. We don't want to search for
contentment in things that won't satisfy. We want a peace that is greater than
our circumstances. We want what Jesus alone can give. He said: in John 14:27,
"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."
Peace isn't found in a higher paying job, a new car, a bigger home, a dream
vacation, or good health. It's found in our relationship with Jesus. If you want
peace--then draw close to him. Read his word every day. Talk with him throughout
the day.
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