Peace - It Is Well With My Soul

John 14:27 (NKJV)  ²⁷ Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

There are days when I simply cannot find the peace that Jesus left to us. My heart remains troubled by the disturbing events in the world and challenges of everyday life. Sometimes I think I just need to let things be, stop cogitating over every detail, close my eyes on the world and give my heart a rest.  

What is the secret to finding the kind of peace that Jesus possessed and also promised to us? The kind of peace where he slept in the boat during the storm while his disciples panicked. The kind of peace he maintained as people demanded his attention, tugging anxiously on his robe seeking his healing powers. The kind of peace that comes only with true faith in God.

Does Jesus simply leave us with peace, or is it something that we proactively need to seek out?  I think the answer is both.  In the Psalms of David he writes:

Psalm 34:14 (NKJV) Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.

As hard as we try to control our lives, it is often unpredictable and learning to stay at peace in the midst of chaos and tragedy is a true test of our faith in God. For it is during the times of uncertainty and difficulty when God is able to teach us and grow us as Christians. These are teachable moments if we embrace them as such God will walk us through each situation filled with his peace.  

If you want peace in your life, you must first seek it and then receive it from God. It is truly a choice we make every minute of every day. People and circumstances can take away our material possessions and loved ones, but no one on earth can take away our inner peace, unless we freely give it up. 

John 16:33 (NKJV) ³³ These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will^[ have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

This is not easy to accomplish and requires a conscience and committed effort, diligence, prayer and faith. What better pursuit is there than to seek and find the peace Jesus leaves with us? 

There is an excellent book called, “Calming the Storm Within: How to Find Peace in This Chaotic World” by Jim Lange.  It is a wonderful book that I highly recommend. 

Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

I leave you with this lovely hymn written by Horatio Spafford who faced tremendous loss and tradgedy  but managed to stay in peace. This hymn was brought to my attention in the book I referenced above, but I want to share it with you here. Also, please give up ten minutes of TV time and watch this video on youtube about Horatio Spafford. You won’t be disappointed.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy1bd0EfiNM 

It Is Well With My Soul - by Horatio Spafford

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
(refrain)

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(refrain)

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Shake Off The Dust

Mark 6:11 (NKJV)¹¹ And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”

It had been a lousy day. The kind when situations large and small seem to pile up one by one until you feel like you are going to lose it. You know the kind of day I’m talking about, when nothing seems to go your way, new problems show up and people let you down. The frustrations and worries pile up like an uneven stack of bricks that could topple at any moment.   

I was having one of those days and while I was sitting at a stop light ruminating about the drama in my life, I saw him. 

He had long white frizzy hair and was dressed in what looked like pajama pants, a loose fitting gray shirt and shoes that were well worn and too big for his feet. He shuffled down the sidewalk as if there were concrete in his shoes almost dragging a plastic grocery bag filled with his belongings. His shoulders were hunched over and he walked with is head down.  

I was immediately touched and shaken. I wondered where he was going, where he had been and how his life got to this place?  Life could definitely be worse I thought, feeling ashamed that I had wasted so much energy being negatively focused, self-obsorbed and obsessed with what was wrong in my life instead of counting my blessings. 

I often wonder if Jesus shows up on earth from time to time in different forms to remind us of our blessings. Was that man Jesus? Did he appear briefly as a homeless man to teach us as he did during his time with the disciples? Was Jesus working in my heart at that very moment to call my attention to this homeless man to shake me out of my self-pity?  

The words of Jesus from Mark 6:11 resonate with me. When life is challenging, people reject you and things do not go as planned, move on and shake the dust from beneath your feet. Don’t let the dust build up, cake on and slow you to down keeping you stuck in a negative place. Dust off your feet, let things go, gain perspective and look for all of the things that are going well in your life.  Most of all trust God, he knows what he is doing.  

It was a gentle reminder for me that each and every day is a blessed gift from God.  

Thank you sweet Jesus for the reminder.  I am truly grateful.  

May God’s peace be with you all.  Shake the dust off your feet and dance!

Here is a beautiful song of gratitude to lift your day. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGzhMDsb3sY

Here are the words so you can sing along! 

Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me 
Written by The Easter Brothers

As the world looks upon me, as I struggle along
They say I have nothing, but they are so wrong
In my heart I'm rejoicing, how I wish they could see
Thank you Lord, for your blessings on me

There's a roof up above me
I've a good place to sleep
There's food on my table
And shoes on my feet
You gave me your love Lord
And a fine family
Thank you Lord, for your blessings on me

Now I know I'm not wealthy, and these clothes, they're not new
I don't have much money, but Lord I have you
And to me that's all that matters, though the world cannot see
Thank you Lord, for your blessings on me 

Weeding the Garden of Your Heart

1 Corinthians 3:6-8 (NKJV) ⁶ I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. ⁷ So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. ⁸ Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

As evening approached a cool breeze kicked up providing relief from the sweltering relentless humidity and heat of the day.  Irene decided to take advantage of the brief respite and venture out for a walk through her neighborhood before retiring for the night in her usual place alone in front of the television.

Across the street the Miller children were running around the yard giggling and screeching as their father sprayed them with the garden hose. That must feel good she thought with a smile thinking back to her own childhood spending her summers with her grandparents at their lake house.  

As she walked past the Perry’s she could see a group of people gathered on the back patio talking and laughing while Pete Perry tended to the barbecue. Irene inhaled deeply to take in the aroma of something wonderful cooking on the grill. She stopped and closed her eyes so that her senses could soak in the summer evening. When she opened her eyes she saw Pete waving his cooking tongs in the air at her. Startled she waved back, put her head down and continued her walk. 

Two houses further down her street the world was much quieter. To her right was a small very old brick house with a rickety white fence in need of  painting. In the yard on the North side of the house she saw her dear friend Macy with a wide-rimmed yellow garden hat and green garden gloves kneeling on the ground delicately pulling weeds from between the vegetables in her garden.   

“What do you think you are doing Macy?” she called out from the street.

Macy looked up surprised yet delighted to hear Irene’s voice. “What does it look like I am doing?” she retorted and then “Where have you been?” 

Macy stood up and walked up to the fence unlatching the gate to invite Irene to come in. “It is good to see you Irene. It has been a long time. Would you like some iced tea?” 

Irene nodded and smiled.

They sat on dusty plastic green lawn chairs near Macy’s garden sipping the cool lemony iced tea and Macy whispered, “Irene, I haven’t seen you since Burt’s funeral.  How are you doing?”  

Irene gulped back her tears still raw with emotion and said that she just simply could not leave the house or talk to anyone the last two months. Today for some reason, she felt like venturing out. “I am sorry that I didn’t return your calls.” she said sadly. “You have always been a good friend to me.” 

Macy patted Irene’s hand and smile and said, “You needed your space and time to grieve. I am glad that you came out today.  I have missed you.  How do you like my garden?”  

“It is beautiful, but isn’t it a lot of work?  Especially all that weeding?” Irene remarked with a grimace.

Macy smiled, looking down at her calloused hands. “Yes, it is a lot of work getting the soil ready, planting the seeds, watering and the most important part is the weeding.  If I don’t weed the garden every day while the weeds are small they will take over and destroy my beautiful plants and the vegetables that I look forward to harvesting. The weeding is necessary and always worthwhile!"    

They sat quietly for a few minutes looking at the garden, enjoying the peaceful evening and each other’s company.  

“My garden reminds me of the garden in our hearts, the one that God keeps there. He plants the seeds of faith, hope and love and nourishes us with his word so that we can grow in our faith and strengthen our relationship with him. It is up to us to keep the garden weeded and if we are not diligent we may allow the weeds of anger, anxiety, bitterness, grudges, greed and selfishness to take over and choke out all of His beautiful work. "

Irene had tears streaming down her cheeks. “I have been foolish to lock myself away from God and from you for so long. I was so angry and filled with resentment and pain that I closed my heart to everyone and let the weeds grow.  Please forgive me.” 

Macy reached out to hug Irene. “You are my dear friend and I love you. I am so proud of you for coming out today. These past few months must have been so difficult for you. You have been in my prayers every day. Please know that you are not alone. We all struggle with the chore of weeding the garden of our hearts, but with God’s love and our diligence the blessed harvest will come.” 

As darkness fell Macy walked Irene home in the comfortable silence of friendship and a faith that lasts forever.  The Gardener smiled.  

Isaiah 51:3 (KJ) For the Lord shall comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places, and He will make her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody.

"Gardening is a way of showing that you believe in tomorrow.”  Unknown

"Kiss of the sun for pardon. Song of the birds for mirth. You're closer to God's heart in a garden than any place else on earth." -- Dorothy Frances Gurney