March 16, 2016

Peace From God

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. -- Colossians 3:15-17

Yesterday someone asked me where I get my peace from. I was a bit taken aback. I don’t consider myself to be a peaceful person at all. I am a bit high-strung under the best of circumstances and this last year has been anything but.

I considered his words. He was serious so that deserved a serious answer. It’s my faith. It runs deep and sure. So when life is full of turmoil and assault I can rest in God’s arms and know that no matter what anyone else says I am loved and cherished and worthwhile.

I didn’t just wake up one day in this place. This journey began under fire and continued year after year. I have failed God so many times. I have moved away from Him. I have drawn closer to Him. I belong to Him. My life is His to use as He will. Sometimes that is a hard thing.

We want to think that as believers God won’t allow anything truly bad to happen in our lives. That’s just not so. As believers, we are under attack from a powerful enemy. Sometimes God allows horrible things to happen so that we can learn and grow. Sometimes He allows it so that others can learn and grow. And all of it is to bring Him glory.

I also have found the value of surrounding myself with believers who live their faith. I’m not talking about people who show up sometimes on Sunday and then go their own way. I do know plenty of those but they aren’t the ones who will by your side in the storm.

No, I have friends who are more family than anyone related to me by blood. They are the ones who will show up, listen, sit with me, cry with me. They are the ones who drive to another town in the middle of the night to sit with me in the ICU waiting room. They are the ones who let me sob when life overwhelms me. And they are the ones who pray with me and remind me of God’s love when He seems so distant and I feel so alone.

I’m not sure what peace really is. Perhaps it is confidence that I am never alone, that God hears my cries and that His strength will carry me through any storm. It is a faith refined by fire so hot I thought I would surely die. But I’m still here. And so is He.