Peace

Posted on 22 December 2010 by Rhonda | 3 responses

With Christmas right around the corner, life can become hectic, can’t it? We are making Christmas memories for our families, reaching out to the needy around us, taking advantage of ministry opportunities and parties…..lots of great things to do. But when you think about it~life can get pretty busy as we seek to minister to our husbands and children, as well as others around us. Many times our hearts just long for peace~quiet~a relaxing day at home.  And there’s certainly nothing wrong with a peaceful day of rest, right?

But what if I want a life of peace so much that I’m willing to sin in order to get it? Come again?  Yes, anything in my life I want so badly I am willing to sin in order to get has just elevated itself to the status of idol in my life. Ouch! So if I don’t get what I expect life should give me,  I resort to complaining, anger, bitterness against God or my husband, ungratefulness, pouting…all sinful responses.

Ever have God put His finger on your heart, showing you the idols in your life? I have~and one of these has been the issue of “peace” or a “perfect atmosphere” where then I can truly be happy. You’ve had the thoughts yourself, I’m sure………Lord, give me a quiet day where nothing goes wrong, where no one is in trouble, where my children are obedient…you can fill in the blank.  Is that what God wants for us?  Didn’t Jesus say, “Come unto me all you who labor and I will give you rest?”   Truly God does give us those Sabbath rests to restore us physically and spiritually. But God does not give the kind of peace the world gives–where everything around me has to be just right, so I can be happy.  Peace is not a thing to be attained, it is a state of being that is not dependent upon the circumstances of life around me. No, dear friends, God wants to give us a peace that passes understanding~the kind of peace that can say in the midst of problems, chaos, challenges, long hours~He is sufficient and in Him you find your rest.

Don’t make an idol of “peace”~begin each day asking God to give you strength to meet what He has for you today, whether that be lots of activity, a health issue, a needy spouse, or just a quiet day on the couch reading to your children~instead of praying for a “peaceful” day, pray that God will give you His perfect peace, regardless of what the day holds because whatever He has in store for you is His perfect plan and if you rest in that~you will have a peace that passes all understanding.