Serenity Now!

27 "Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you.  I do not give it as the world does.  Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid."
– John 14:27

Where do you find your peace?  I used to have a hard time understanding what "Peace" really was.  I grew up in so much turmoil and violence that it was just a word to me.  When I first met my wife she used to always talk about having a "peace" about something.  I couldn't understand what she was talking about.

It wasn't until I got a revelation after reading the story of Christ asleep in the boat while the sea raged around Him – everyone else in the boat was in a panic, that I realized we can only truly experience "peace" when there is turmoil – the exact opposite of peace  (I had read this story hundreds of times before but one day I "got-it").  Just like in this world, there can be no light without darkness, or good without evil – we can never truly experience the peace of Christ until we are in the middle of a storm.

The idea of life being peaceful – no struggles or conflicts, just green meadows and blue skies – that is not peace, it's stagnation.  Still water may look peaceful but if it is still for too long, parasites and bacteria begin to take over and it quickly becomes a swamp.  We need turmoil and the struggles of this world to help us to continue to grow and to trust in Christ – to be able to fully rely on Him and to find His Peace.  It is a process but as we learn to rest in Him, in the midst of our trials, we become stronger – in our faith, in our love, and in our ability to rest – peacefully in His arms.

Prayer
Lord, thank You for giving us the ability to rest in You and to find peace in the midst of our struggles.  Help me to remember Your restful arms when I am starting to get agitated or panicky or when my life seems to be facing too many obstacles and I feel like things are out of control.  Help me to recall the image of You sleeping in the boat when the world was raging all around You so that I can take a deep breath and curl up beside You and rest in Your Peace . . . as the world rages on.

Have a Peaceful and Blessed evening everyone!

– Richard

Serve God to Get Your Answer

14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
– Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

When we are seeking God for an answer, we have to be careful not to go ahead and move in the direction of the answer that we want instead of the answer God wants for us.  We must wait for a clear answer from God before making a move in that direction.  It is easy to get ahead of God so I propose this instead . . . the next time you need an answer from God, or a breakthrough, or a blessing, wait on Him by serving Him – like a waiter.

Devote your time to Him and keep your eyes fixed on His kingdom.  Serve Him with the attention to detail that you would expect from a waiter at a fine restaurant.  Make sure that every detail is taken care of and busy yourself with ministering to Him through service to His people.  Take notice of those in need around you and see what you can do to take care of those needs.  Open your eyes to the hurting world around you and serve God by your service to them.

Your answer, or your blessing, or your breakthrough will come while you are going about your Father's business and you will have strengthened your faith and compassion and zeal for His church at the same time.  It is a win-win scenario.

Prayer
Lord, I recognize that I need to wait on You by serving You and ministering to Your church.  Help me to see the needs of others around me so that I can take my eye off of my own selfish desires.  Help me to have compassion for Your people and for those who need You so badly.  Thank You Lord for Your perfect timing and for strengthening my faith in You as I wait for Your answer to my prayer.

Have a Blessed Day Everyone!

-Richard