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Pandemic Perspective – Part 20 Peace in the Pandemic

Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”

Today everyone talks about peace, countries are willing to go to war for it, and political figures promise it. We desire peace from a planet perspective, world peace, as well as a personal one, peace in our relationships, but do we really know what peace is? We live in a world where many different definitions and ideas of peace exist. Someone may say as long as I have money I can have peace, while another says as long as I have family I have peace. While still others believe that as long as they have health they have peace. The problem with these explanations of peace is that they are all examples of imperfect peace. People often pursue peace by chasing down different paths only to find that they are chasing something that they can’t catch or comprehend without Christ. It’s a little bit like the story of a puppy and the older dog. The puppy said to the older dog I have mastered philosophy. I have learned that the best thing for a dog is happiness and that happiness is my tail. Therefore I am chasing it and when I catch it, I shall have it! The older, bigger, and wiser dog replied, “I too have judged that happiness is a marvelous thing for a dog, and that happiness indeed resides in my tail. But I have noticed that when I chase it, it keeps running away from me; but when I go about my business, it comes after me.” People are often like the puppy pursuing after peace because they misunderstand the meaning of the scripture in Psalms 34:14 “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it”. This doesn’t mean that we chase after peace like the puppy does after its tail, but we pursue to be at peace with others and to be peacemakers. So what is peace, where does it come from and how do we have perfect peace? The dictionary defines peace as a state of quiet or tranquility, freedom from disturbance or agitation.  However, in the Bible the word “peace” in Greek refers to a mental attitude of tranquility based on a relationship with God. Peace with God is the result of an individual’s correct response to the Grace of God. It’s the result of a relationship with the Redeemer, a calmness based of Christ. It’s not the absence of problems but the presence of the Prince. Peace is not something that we chase after and grab a hold onto like the puppy, it’s about how we respond to the invitation to relationship, and based upon our response peace will follow or not. Now in Philippians 3:15 we are given some key insights into God’s plan for peace with regard to the cares of life; this is the peace of God. When it comes to the peace of God we are called to let the peace that comes from Christ rule in our hearts. To rule means to be in charge, it’s the one who calls the shots, peace should be the umpire of your soul. An umpire is an official appointed to rule over plays, the one who has the authority to decide. An umpire first of all knows all the rules of the game and how these rules should be interpreted and applied in every situation. They thoroughly understand and know how to apply the rules concerning interference, collisions, and obstructions and have the authority to award bases based upon the decisions they make. To “let” means making a conscious decision to grant permission to. The peace of God will not forcibly take control, you must allow it the opportunity to have control of you. So what is going to have control in your life, peace or problems? When we let the peace of God rule in our hearts, it becomes the umpire of our soul, finalizing the controversy between the flesh and the spirit. When the flesh tries to interfere with the spirit and the waves of emotions begin to rise within us, it is the umpire, the peace of God, that is ruling in our hearts and says peace be still (you’re safe). When opposition comes in like a flood trying to impede our progress, it’s the umpire (peace of God) that raises up a standard against them and says peace be still (you’re safe). When the enemy tries to hinder our progress, it’s the umpire (peace of God) that says to us be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord, 1 Corinthians 15:58. Is peace the umpire of your soul, is peace the controlling force in your life? This requires a humble submission to the will of God in every situation that we face in life. Because no matter the sporting event we all see calls made that we don’t agree with or even understand, yet we have to accept the final authority of the umpire, even when we don’t like the decision. The same should be true with God’s Peace in our lives, it should rule our hearts, and guide our choices and decisions. Today we want to make everything about our feelings put peace provides a foundation upon which to stand.  Peace is not being in a serene situation, it is not a place called perfect, where we are free from the tornados of trouble. No peace is when in the midst of calamity and chaos we are able to say I still have joy, after all the things I’ve been through I still have joy. Peace is not pursuing fortune and fame, prosperity and popularity, and believing that once you have it that you will have peace, because if you chase after it, it will never come. Letting the peace of God rule in your heart is simply allowing God to speak peace to your afflicted soul just as He did the winds and the sea. It is peace that protects us from the whirlwinds and waves of worry.  The winds, and waves of this world, the distress and sorrows of our soul, and the adversities of our life must obey Him when He speaks peace be still. Only His voice of peace can silence the storm of sins and tame our troubled minds. Only His voice can defeat our doubt and conquer our fears.  When we let the peace of God rule in our hearts He leads us through the dark and dangerous times. It is Amazing Grace that overcomes our anxieties and leaves us with the calm assurance that everything is going to be alright. Peace is knowing that regardless of the problems, pressures, or principalities God’s promise will keep us in perfect peace if we will just keep our minds on Him. In this life there are many things that are determined to destroy your peace but the peace of God will be the umpire of our soul if you allow it to be. If you fill your minds with thoughts of Him you will still smile in the midst of sorrow. You will experience tranquility in the midst of turmoil and trouble. Paul also reminds us that we can be thankful in every situation. As a believer ruled by God’s peace you are to be thankful to God, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”. When we focus on what He has done rather than on what we want done we will find our attitude will be a grateful one rather than an anxious one. Does His peace have the final say in your life or are you arguing with the referee over whose ruling will stand? What is ruling your heart? Are you letting worry have its way? Are you letting complaining and criticizing control? Are you letting guilt grip you? Are you letting anger, bitterness, hatred, revenge or fear rule, if you are then it’s no wonder that there is no peace. Real peace rules

 

 

 


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Pandemic Perspective – Part 19 Offended

Psalm 139:23-24

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

We have become a culture that is easily offended. Why are so many quick to be offended, because we filter everything through our feelings and look at life based on how it affects us. If something hurts our feelings we are offended but do we stop to consider how we are living might be offensive to God? In Psalm 139 David asks God to reveal anything that is offensive because sometimes we don’t see what God sees. This prayer is not the easy or safe prayers we might prefer like God bless us, help us, protect us, God do this and God do that! Don’t get me wrong these are not bad prayers but they are safe prayers, because for the most part they allow us to keep our distance from God. What offends us is primarily outward focused but what offends God is inward its what is in the heart. Thats why in Luke 6:45 Jesus said, “What you say flows from what is in your heart.” Very few Christians pray this prayer because we are more comfortable focusing on others because it keeps the spotlight off of us. But David’s prayer here takes us out of our comfort zone. Interestingly it’s a prayer he prayed right after his enemies and God’s enemies were on the attack, accusing David of having wrong motives. Instead of fighting and defending himself, David turned to God and said SEARCH MY HEART! Our tendency when we are being attacked is to point out all the faults in others not to ask God to sift our hearts. There are four parts to his prayer starting first with discovery.

  • The first thing David prays is, “Search me, O God, and know my heart!”

You may wonder “why would we ask God to search our heart. This is not and exercise for God to discover what’s in our hearts, He already knows, this is for our discovery and benefit. We are asking God to reveal what is really going on in our hearts. When we don’t, we can fall into the trap of self-deception. But praying this prayer gives God the opportunity to show you some things about yourself which can bring you into a more intimate relationship with Him. It’s not safe, but it can make you so much closer to God. Do you know the real motives of your heart? Are you content with a surface faith or do you want God to reveal the cracks in the foundation that need to be dealt with?

  • Second David prays, “Try me and know my anxious thoughts!”

How many of us are really willing to ask God to open us up and reveal what’s really going on in our hearts? What is it that makes you anxious and afraid? Your job, the future, this pandemic, your health, a loved one? Why would we say, “God, show me my anxious thoughts?” Because what we fear the most reveals where we trust God the least. When we are willing to expose ourselves and pray this prayer not only will God better help us to understand our hearts but also what is holding us back from fully trusting Him. Maybe you recognize a sin issue which has been holding you back. Something you’ve been able to rationalize to yourself and maybe even with others. It might have to do with your home life, or work, or with a relationship. Whatever it is God is faithful and He will reveal it to you so that you can grow.

  • David now comes to the third part of the prayer, “And see if there be any offensive way in me.”

David is saying, God, while I’m being really vulnerable with you don’t just show me my fears but also anything within me that is offensive to you. How many of us are willing to ask this in prayer? This type of prayer takes courage, and many of us never pray this prayer because it requires a deep vulnerability and trust in God. The more I rest in my relationship with God the more willing I am to ask Him to show me what’s really going on in my life. Sadly, many of us have a surface relationship with God, He is more of an acquaintance than our heavenly Father. As a result, we are not really willing to go this deep and be this vulnerable. David asked God to show him anything that was displeasing to Him. Most of us focus on how we feel about everything around us but do we ever stop to ask God how He feels about it? Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to see your own sins and yet how easy it is to see everybody else’s? We tend to accuse others, and then we excuse ourselves. But the most common lies are the ones we tell ourselves. That’s why we need to have the courage to say, “Search my heart, God. Test me. Know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me.” God in His grace will point out any sin that is dwelling in our hearts. He will reveal anything that needs to be worked on. Anything that you are trying to deny, things you become defensive about. Don’t deny the truth, submit yourself to what God is trying to show you, and then have the courage to make the changes you need to make. Once God reveals what is really going on in your life confess it and asking God for forgiveness along with anyone else you may have hurt. This is the process of learning to depend on Christ. Maybe it’s an addiction issue, embrace His power to overcome your addiction. It could be a prideful heart; you need His power to be humbled and depend on Him. It might be a lust issue. You need His truth to renew your mind and transform your heart. Or what about a materialistic and greedy heart. If we love the things of this world then you need to fall so in love with Him, that this world is not your home, heaven is your home. Whatever God shows you; it always points directly to your need for Jesus. It takes courage to pray this prayer because when you do God will show you some things about yourself that need to change.

  • Lastly David ends his prayer with this, “And lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

God doesn’t just show us the problems but also the path. God’s way is always the everlasting way! His power, His strength, His courage, His hope, His grace, His love all of which will endure forever! Are you following the Father and His plan and path for your life or yours? In Psalm 23:3 David reminds me that I have a good shepherd that desires to, “guide me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” What if we worried more about offending God and less about being offended? Do you have the courage to pray, Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life.