Peace…Living This Kind of Life!

Peace is such a transient term for it means different things to different people. Today I see peace in Colossians 3:15:

Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always]. Colossians 3:15 (AMP)

What grabbed me about this translation was in the parentheses, “the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him”. There it is for me. That means peace might not be the same every day for me. My heart may be shaken, my nerves might be on edge, but in the midst of turmoil, I am walking daily with Him, these physical manifestations are a temporary jolt to my peace, they will not remain. What will remain is that He will enable to me to decide and settle those questions that arise, that want to disrupt my peace. Hence, peace is the constant, turmoil is only a temporary distractor.

Living this kind of life takes the emphasis off of my actions, and places it on the overall covering that abides in me and around me. That covering provided by the Holy Spirit is like a giant filter that purges the contaminating elements of this life and leaves me refreshed. I can trust the Holy Spirit to purify me in any and all situations.

We are called to this peace, as are all those in the body of Christ. The lever that keeps it in motion, is generated by our thankfulness. This week as we look toward celebrating Thanksgiving, I strive to reflect with gratitude on that day the Lord saw fit “to pick me up from the miry clay and place my feet on a rock to stay“. As much as I had good intentions, I did not always want to accept that peace that passes all man’s understanding. As strange as it sounds, I felt as if I was doomed to being unsettled. What a blessing when I began to grow into a place of understanding the gifts that God so freely wants us to enjoy. And that they are predicated only by our opening up and saying “yes Lord, I receive”.

I challenge you to join me in capturing three things (maybe by journaling) you are grateful for every day this week. You will find by Thursday, your Thanksgiving feast won’t be the only highlight in your day!

Maria