Follow the Peace - Part Three

Follow the Peace – Part Three

  Let your heart be always guided by the peace of the Anointed One, who called you to peace as part of his one body. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:15 (The Passion Translation - TPT)   “And always be thankful.”  Do you know anyone whose demeanor is critical, complaining much of the time, and feels unfairly treated, most of the time?  I have a few folks like that in mind, both friends and family.   They’re not too pleasant to be around, are they? They kinda suck a person dry of his or her joy and enthusiasm for life, don’t they?  It’s like a virus that will spread in a family, in a home, in an office and anywhere people gather around this person.  We try to avoid such a person unless it is thrust upon us, and then we try to get away as soon as possible.  That is one of the mysteries to me that someone can worship and love Jesus, but also reflect such conflict and disturbance in his or her demeanor as the norm.  Is it because they expect anything else from the world?  As a Christian, are they putting their hope in a world and the people in this world that will eventually let them down and they are angry because of it?  Maybe they expect too much from other people and they need to look with gratitude to God who never lets them down?  It would help to remember that this world is not our home. Rather it is a place to honor God in spite of it.  Doesn’t that bring the right perspective  to the situation, no matter what it is? Now take another look at this person.  Do you see peace personifying this person?  Does this person project or provide peace to others?  I doubt it, for peace doesn’t co-exist with self-pity and bitterness.  Unfortunately, a person like this has been hurt deeply, or was greatly influenced by someone who was hurt deeply.  Even so, for a follower of Christ there is no reason that such an attitude or perspective is right before Jesus who has given us the key to break out of that self-made jail we’ve put our self in.  The key for unlocking this prison door I speak of is,  thankfulness. Now when I say thankful, I’m not taking about faking it until we make it. That’s a false thanks.  That’s a manipulative thanks that tries to turn God’s attention toward us or get Him to give to us relief from whatever is troubling us. He sees though that motive. Instead I am speaking of a true thankfulness, one that comes from deep within us when we recognize who God is, what he has done for us, and that His love for us is secure no matter what troubles us.  People will always disappoint us.  But God never will.  Isn’t that reason to be thankful?  When Jesus said these words, do you accept them as a message to you? "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”  (John 14:37 NASB)   In closing this series let me point out this final thought.  We can follow the peace of God as an indication of the path He wants to lead us on. But we must have peace with God to receive His peace.  It always comes down to this?  How’s your soul?  If it is well, then listen carefully to what the Lord may be saying to you and quickly obey it.  If it is not, then start there and find out why your soul is troubled.  Don’t use circumstances as a reason.  That’s a bad excuse.  God’s child must find his or her soul health not in good or bad circumstances but rather because of a good relationship with Him.  That is the place we must always protect if we want God’s peace to be our guide.  How’s your soul?