The Peaceful Life

Read: 1 Corinthians 3: 1-3

“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” - Romans 8:6 NKJV

Conflict is not only prevalent in modern society, but probable as well. We get so jaded in our thinking, and so fearful in our expectancy of opposition, that we end up walking through life just waiting for someone to say or do something hurtful or inflammatory. We worry that someone or something will invade our personal space and strip us of our power, control, prestige, comfort or intimacy in our relationships. Murphy’s Law is always in play; so if there is anything that can possibly go wrong, it certainly will. Nothing, not even the simplest of tasks, is ever easy.

The potential for harm is probable, and therefore, overwhelming. So, we hide behind a thick wall of suspicion and mistrust. As a consequence of living with all of this stress we bring harm to our body and soul anyway. Physically, we tend to develop ulcers, heart issues, and nerve damage; mentally, we drown in phobias, anxiety and hypochondria; as well as emotionally, we erupt with irritability, anger and defensiveness.

Our only hope of rising above the conflict is to dwell in the spiritual realm. Our goals, outlook and focus are then eternal rather than temporal. Issues that used to affect us, no longer make any impression on us at all. We recognize Jesus as the Author and Finisher of our faith, and we surrender our life to His direction. We live our days in total worship to Him.  

We can actually relax, once we realize that God has plans for us that include peace rather than disaster, plans to give us a future filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11). When negative circumstances do arise, we have the faith that God works even these destructive events out for our good (Romans 8:28). We look forward to the days, which are coming, when God raises up a righteous Branch, King Jesus, who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land (Jeremiah 23:5). Then peace and joy will flood our lives. He will wipe away every tear from our eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All of the negative issues of life will be gone forever (Revelation 21:4).

Prayer:

Lord, help me not to allow the unknown to threaten my peace, but to totally trust in You. Help me to relinquish the control of my life to You. Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me in a level path, because of my enemies (Psalm 27:11). Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way in which I should go, for to You do I lift up my soul (Psalm 143:8).

Thought for the Day:

True peace and success only come when Jesus sets us free from the power of sin and the entanglement of this world.

Seasons of Life

Read: Ps 27:4-5

“…There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” - Prov 18:24

Jesus Christ revealed Himself to me during a meeting of the Baptist Student Union on the campus of our local college when I was 18 years old. I loved to spend time with Him in prayer, studying His Word and attending Bible studies and worship services. Each week, I filled my days with more and more of Him. Then, I got married and three weeks later conceived my first son, Michael. After nine months of morning sickness, and nine more months of sleepless nights, I conceived my second child, my daughter Julia. Eighteen months later, I repeated the process for my third child and second son, Daniel.

I love being a mommy. I enjoyed playing with my children. I filled each day with teaching them their alphabet, shapes and colors, as well as to recognize the world all around them. They were a blank slate, ready for me to introduce them to life. I wrote songs for them and taught them praise songs, as I serenaded them with my guitar. Each day was filled with new adventures and new learning experiences. However, as they each went off to school, one right after the other, I am the one who cried. I felt at lose ends. I had no purpose or direction for my time. So, I cried out to God for guidance.

I felt led to take a notebook and to sit quietly in the middle of our king-sized bed. I started writing whatever came to my mind…grocery lists, to do lists, reminder lists, lists of people I needed to forgive, and lists of those of whom I needed to ask forgiveness. The various lists went on and on without end. Hour after hour, I sat with no radio, no books, no Bible, no phone, no food, no guitar, and no finger nail polish!!!  I just sat and wrote, emptying everything in my mind out on the pages of my journal. I did this for days on end, until I finally realized that there was nothing left, except me and God.

Through this experience, God showed me that when we allow the pressures and distractions of life to monopolize our attention, we run at full speed all day and then fall into an exhausted sleep each night, without ever spending quality time with our Father. Then, the next day our mind refills with clutter and complications and we get pulled in too many directions at once. We lack depth in our thoughts and actions. God’s voice cannot compete with our preoccupations nor can it penetrate our awareness, because the clutter is too overpowering and we are not listening for His voice. Only as we deliberately enter the recesses within our soul and conquer our cluttered thoughts, can we ever hope to obtain a deeper intimacy with Him (Ephesians 3:16-19). 

Over the years, as I aged and my children started having children, my leisure time increased. I no longer scurry around behind the patter of little feet, but I spend more time sitting at Jesus’ feet. I have more time to stay in tune to His replies, since I no longer race around in tune to children’s cries. I still serve as a pastor’s wife with all the responsibilities accompanying that title, but I reserve my personal time for Him alone. My hearing of His directives improves as I sit quietly and praise Him as the great “I am.” Then I follow His will as I pray for specific people, care for my husband and home, visit someone in need, or mentor another lost soul.

A fulfilled Christian life comes only under the guidance of the Spirit of God. Achieving this status takes time, effort and commitment. He truly is a friend that sticks closer than a brother, a refuge in the storm, and our comforter and guide. I would not exchange one day of my lifetime of moments with our Savior and Lord. He never leaves me and never forsakes me. He is all I need, want or seek after.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, never let us fail to hear Your voice as we wait on You. Obtain our undivided attention. Help us to simplify our life by getting rid of the inner clutter first, and then by ridding our home and office of everything that is unnecessary. Help us to abide in the Vine, and to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us moment-by-moment throughout the day and night. 

Thought For The Day:

Only thoughts and actions, which are totally Spirit-led, will bear any fruit for the kingdom of God.