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Good morning, dear friends! This morning, sitting here on the mountain, watching deer outside fighting one another, I'm seeing some good life lessons for myself. Maybe for you, too.
It's amazing to me to watch deer stand on their hind legs and strike out at one another. It seems bizarre. We think of deer as meek animals, intimidated by just about everything. I've been here long enough now to know that this is just not the case. As a matter of fact, if I were to go outside right now, there's that one who will stand his ground. He is not the least bit intimidated by me. He will stomp his feet, snort, stare me down, and stand firmly in place. O Lord, help me be that deer!
Do you have peace this morning, friend? I mean -- the peace of God. Do you know that peace? Are you able to stand your ground in this ever threatening world of change and chaos? Or are you like the rest of the herd who tucks their tail and runs? I'm encouraged by this one deer who is determined to stand his ground! I so want to be just like him. As a matter of fact, there is someone sitting close by watching my life and needing to see just that -- me taking a firm stand for Jesus.
How do we keep our peace in the world today? I mentioned that we are studying the armor of God in our Bible study currently. We've discussed putting on the Belt of Truth and the Breastplate of Righteousness to this point. Our lesson this week is wearing the Shoes of Peace. This lesson, to me, is so very crucial in maintaining our stance in life. Without peace, whatever testimony we may be saying to those around us matters little, unless our lives are giving off the aroma of God's peace. This is where the rubber really meets the road. Am I walking out what I've been talking about?
Heratio Spafford was a man well known for penning the words to the infamous "It is Well With My Soul" hymn. He wrote this hymn following a tragedy that claimed the lives of all four of his daughters who had been shipwrecked. All of this pain, following the death of his son, who died as a result of a virus. His family had decided to take a trip following the son's death, and having business to finish up, Heratio sent his wife and four daughters ahead. Following the shipwreck where his daughters perished, he received a telegram stating, "I, alone, survived". Can you even imagine this kind of pain? Heratio got on board a ship and headed to meet his grieving wife. Just as the ship passed over the spot where his daughters perished, he penned the words, "It is well with my soul"! How, how in the world was that possible anyway? Listen to the words:
When peace like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
How is this even possible?? Friends, there's only One Way…it is through the blood of Jesus! There, and only there, does peace flow freely, no matter what waves are swirling around us.
Colossians 3:15 says: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Philippians 4:6,7 says: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Both verses refer to peace…the peace of God. There must be something here for us. And I believe that Heratio had it…the peace of God.
When I was a teenager, my girlfriend and I had a photo shooting one day. Dressed in the garb of the day, we took pictures of each other, posing, of course. I remember very clearly that I was so caught up in the "peace movement". I was wearing my silly bell-bottomed jeans, my army jacked, and my peace sign wrapped around my forehead. (I also remember that my nails were painted black). Um, definitely not the picture of peace, but I thought we were pretty cool, to say the least. Knowing what was transpiring in my world at the time, I can tell you that I knew absolutely nothing at all about the peace I was trying to portray.
What is the impression you are giving to the world, friend? Does your life say to the world that you have the peace of heart, mind, and soul that only comes through a relationship with Jesus? We can attempt to live this peace out in the flesh, but it is only a fleeting thing. We're unable to maintain that man-made peace for a short time, before we go back to our own sinful nature. The peace of God, however, is not a fleeting thing. His peace guards our hearts against the attacks of the enemy. It guides us along right paths…paths of right living. Listen to me, friend, not me, but to the Word of God! Philippians 4 tells us that when we are anxious for nothing, but pray instead with thanksgiving, peace will be the result. It will guard our hearts and minds. So, turns out, peace is our litmus test. Know God, know peace. No God, no peace.
In our Bible study, we are emphasizing the fact that thanksgiving activates peace, but trust fuels thanksgiving. (from Priscilla Shirer's study, "The Armor of God") Turns out that trusting God is the motivator to a thankful life, and and thankful life, in turn, brings about peace. There is always, always, always something to be thankful about.
I maybe mentioned that I am currently caught up in the world of sweet corn. That puts it very mildly. Actually, I am swamped and drowning in sweet corn! And loving every moment of it. I love talking with customers. I love pulling the ears from the stalks. I love the help of my grandchildren. I love husking the ears and cutting the corn from the cobs. I love watching it add up to large amounts of corn that we will enjoy this winter. Did I mention that I love eating those deliciously, sweet kernels, too? What I don't love is that it all can cause me to lose my focus; to lose my peace. My focus on the Lord is tested is not what it needs to be, and certainly not what I want the world to see.
So, I ask you, friend, as I'm asking myself this morning…what truly matters in life, anyway? Shouldn't our lives be about the business of showing the world who Jesus is?? How tempting it can be to run from morning til evening in such a frenzy that we've missed the mark! A sobering question…what do you want to be remembered for?
In the Bible, many were known and remembered for many things. Judas was the "betrayer". John was the one Jesus loved. Paul was the fearless one, who spread the gospel. Job was a righteous man. Andrew…we don't hear much about, yet, he was that one remembered for bringing people to Jesus. This…this is what I long to be remembered for. Yet, as long as I run around, out of control throughout all of my life, peace is not what I portray. It grieves my heart that the God I love, maybe, is not what others see in me. Maybe they only see me racing through life with unprecedented speed! Oh, Lord, forgive me! You've placed me here on your mountain to slow me down. May I be so very thankful for all the blessings before me. Help me slow down, Lord, and show the world who Jesus is. May I know that precious peace that passes all understanding. Guard my heart, Lord, against the schemes of the evil one, who loves drawing my attention away from You and all You've given me to do. Help me, Lord, to put on those shoes of peace and move forward with my Belt of Truth buckled in place and knowing my righteous position in You. I don't need to "be" somebody important in this crazy world. I only need to be found faithful in You, Lord. Thank You, thank You, Jesus, for showing me all these things, and it all began with being still…being still and learning life lessons from those deer fighting one another. I don't want the world to see me being so busy and anxious about it all. Rather, Lord, I want to be known as a woman governed by Your peace. I want to stand my ground like that deer, defending my faith; defending You. Thank You, Lord, for your grace and mercy. Thank You for loving me, faults and all. And thank You, Jesus, for second chances; millions of chances…to get life right in Your eyes. You are my good, good Father, and I love You, Lord Jesus.