"For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we could ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:14-21

Friday, August 27, 2010

True Peace is Reflected Peace

I often picture us rolling through life like boulders rolling down a hill (or a mountain!) gathering speed, crushing things as we pass,  ever hurdling toward the bottom.  We miss so much when we live our lives that way!  And I am a firm believer that one of our greatest enemies is our own busyness.  I sometimes think that we think that if we just keep ourselves busy enough, we won't feel the pain or the loneliness or the emptiness.  But underneath that busy exterior, a heart still beats, still fears, still suffers, still wishes things could be different.

We all long for peace.  The world even tells us to pursue peace.  They call it inner peace, or nirvana.  True peace is not something we can manufacture ourselves; it's not something we seek and find ourselves.  Oh, we may find a semblance of peace this way, but it is fleeting, difficult to keep, not easily pinned down.  Jesus Christ offers us a different sort of peace.  He said, "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." John 14:27 (NIV)

True peace is reflected peace.  It is the reflection of the peace of Christ.  "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."  Colossians 3:15 (NIV)  As Oswald Chambers said, "Are you still finding no well of peace or joy or comfort; is all barren?  Then look up and receive the undisturbedness of the Lord Jesus.  Reflected peace is the proof that you are right with God because you are at liberty to turn your mind to Him.  If you are not right with God, you can never turn your mind anywhere but on yourself."  Are you right with God?  Have you looked to Him in and for whatever circumstance or difficulty you are going through? Or is there something in the way of your relationship with Jesus, something blocking His face from your view? Get right with God!  If you are looking to Him and are right with Him, you will have the kind of reflected peace He offers, the peace that passes understanding.  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

So our peace is a reflection of His peace because there is nothing between us; we are right with Him.  In turning our eyes upon Jesus,  and laying everything at His feet, "The perplexity goes, because He has no perplexity, and our only concern is to abide in Him."  (Oswald Chambers)

Dear Lord,  Thank you that You created us to be a reflection of You.  Help us to stay right with You and to never let anything come between us.  Give us Your peace which is not the kind the world gives, but the kind that passes all understanding...

Have a wonderful weekend!

Artwork by Chantal's Stained Glass at chantalstainedglass.50megs.com
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