Jangly. That’s how I felt. Rushed and harried and frazzled and I couldn’t determine why.
Was it too much caffeine?
Did I get enough sleep?
What was going on?
I didn’t know why, but I knew where to go: to the Lord, in prayer.
I closed my eyes briefly, praying in my heart. I could trust my Heavenly Father to show me what to do.
Although I had studied in my quiet time not two hours earlier, already His peace was gone and the day had gotten away from me. The to-do list grew: my job demanded more and my family needed extra. Nothing was going as planned.
Maybe you’ve been there? Do you ever wonder how on earth can I ever get everything done?
Yet, in my heart I knew- what needed done would happen, and if I let God author my day, not only would the to-do list disappear, my peace would be restored.
Peace- defined by Google as “the normal, non-warring condition of a nation, group of nations, or the world.”
Normal, non-warring condition. Some synonyms include: reconciliation and truce, order and unanimity.
That’s what I wanted- to not feel at war with myself- wanting desperately to both rush and accomplish everything, and pause to restore my peace.
Peace. I needed that mindset.
2 Corinthians 13:11 reminds me that God Himself is peace. That He gives me instructions on how to live, how to find peace. “Finally brothers and sisters, rejoice. Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”
How to live in a way that finds peace?
Rejoice.
Strive for restoration.
Encourage others.
Be of one mind.
Live in peace.
Rejoicing, praising God is not hard when I focus on who He is. He is one who is easy to love. It’s other people that can be challenging.
And yet, we are told to encourage others. Because, as I consider the golden rule, don’t I need encouragement occasionally? I should offer others that same encouragement. But not only encouragement, His instructions clearly say to, “Strive for restoration.” I am reminded that, as far as it depends on me, I should always try to be at peace with others.
As I consider the how, I realize it’s not just biting my tongue. “Living in peace” requires a “tolerance of love.” In essence, we need to “put up” with those who differ from us as we strive to be united in Christ.
How humbling! It doesn’t matter who is right. We are to get along to witness and experience God’s love and peace as we live day in and day out.
Our instruction is to live in peace. And, as we obey His instructions, we will draw nearer to Him. We will live in peace. In a non-warring state. And definitely not jangly.
I find it doesn’t happen overnight. But it does happen. And, God is patient.
He promises He rewards obedience. He loves us and wants us to live in peace. With Him. With others.
Maybe you too, need to pause and look for a way to reconnect with Him?
Praise Him.
Strive for restoration.
Encourage others.
And be of one mind.
To live in peace.
Will you join me in asking Him to help us do just that?
Prayer: Lord, You know. Even better than I, You understand what is warring inside me. I want You. I want Your peace. Please help me walk in step with You so that I may draw closer to You, and in doing that, find peace. Live in peace. Thank You for the very fact that You are peace. I can trust You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.