I sat down this morning to check off the first thing on my “to do list” – my God & I time. As I cracked open the book of choice for this year to get my thought for the morning – WOW – it’s almost like He knew exactly what I needed at exactly that moment. You see, yesterday as we ate lunch my DH looked at me and said, “I’m worried about you.” That’s all it took to send me spiraling downward; self-doubt, rage, questions that have no answers, self-pity, and many more emotions followed. The truth is, I’m worried about me too. I’ve been stuck in a rut. Looking for peace.
Lately though, peace has been like a wisp of fog, dancing just out of reach, teasing my fingertips with its elusive presence. I’ve been looking in the wrong places. Trying to find it for myself – knowing full well where I needed to be looking the entire time. And it wasn’t within.
Looking for Peace in All the Wrong Places
Psalm is one of my favorite books to read. The way it ebbs and flows. The poetic nature. The raw truth penned by men who knew their flaws. It all speaks to the deepest crevice of my soul. The first chapter of the book begins telling me what to do if I want to be blessed – have peace.
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”Â
Seems easy enough. Don’t get ungodly counsel. Don’t do things associated with “sinners”. Don’t look down on or judge others. Not that I’ve got these concepts perfected – but I feel ok with my progress in these regards. BUT the chapter doesn’t end there. If I want to be blessed by Jehovah. If I want the peace that He is waiting to provide there’s more…
The Psalmist goes on to say, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”.Â
If I want to have an unmovable peace. A peace that the storms won’t shake – I MUST look at the entirety of the promise. Just as a weaver crafts a tapestry of intricate design, I must consider every thread and color in the promise’s fabric, not just those that catch my eye.
Looking for Peace in the Mundane
Consistency has been my nemesis for as long as I can recall. If you need a form on how to clean your house or a chore chart for kids – I’ve got a dozen of each you could choose from. The follow thru though… that’s the part that gets me… every. single. time. I reckon that’s why the second verse of the chapter hits hard. Doing something “day and night”. Every day. Without fail. That’s the part that escapes me. But that’s where the peace is.
Peace is found in a consistent walk with the Master.
Consistency is what provides that rooted peace. The peace that doesn’t depend on anything except for WHO the peace comes from.
He isn’t changing. He isn’t moving. He is sufficient.
Looking for peace is a life-long journey. We can abide in peace, knowing complete peace only comes once we cross into His glorious presence. He is so gracious to grant us peace in our human state as we await the moment we are ushered into His restful peace.
Peace doesn’t depend on my emotional state.
Peace doesn’t depend on my status symbol.
Peace doesn’t depend on my possessions.
Peace depends on my surrender.
If want to claim the promise in verse three it depends on one thing… my willingness to surrender daily to walking in Him:
“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
Rooted. Fruitful. Flourishing. Prospering. Peaceful. I long for these to be the adjectives describing my life.
Am I still looking for peace? Like a weary traveler wandering through a dense forest, I seek the tranquil glade where I can lay down my burdens and find peace. With help from Yahweh-Shalom, I’m getting there. One day at a time.
Love this!!!!
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