Sweet Peace
It's been a while since I've written. While I've had a multitude of topics bouncing around this brain of mine, I haven't felt any particular topic-focus for which to write until this week. So, I've gone about my daily life, filled with wellness routines that God led me to establish for myself over the summer. I am grateful for them. They keep me grounded and whole and on an active journey to be in tune with my Savior.
I also welcome new ones, as I continue to seek God's daily guidance for new opportunities to learn and grow and share his beauty. This is something I endeavor to do until the day my Lord calls me home. I could never possibly learn all there is to learn, but I want to be open to learn as much as I possibly can of and for his glory while I'm here.
I encourage anyone who reads this to do the same. As one of my sons recently brought to mind, reach back in your memories to the wonder of childhood, and begin to wonder again. Seek, like a child discovers, the truths of your Creator and the gifts he has bestowed. They are all around you, every single day, no matter the situation. Open hearts, and eyes, and ears, and minds make it possible to be filled with all he desires to fill us with. If you're reading this, I don't care who you are, I have prayed that very prayer for you, many, many times with more sincerity and care than I've ever known possible, particularly this year. I have prayed that you would know him fully, and DELIGHT in him. As I pray for myself, I pray for you, that the desires of our hearts would BE him and HIS desires. It is my biggest hope and prayer for all I know and all I don't, for every leader of every nation, and every race, and every person with or without a current belief in God.
On this quest, however, it is crucial that your God encounters be authentic, free from distortions and deceptions that run rampant. They may even appear glorious and healing, but when uncloaked, they are anything but. "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." The emphasis in those words is mine, but Jesus said these words, as recorded in Matthew 7:13-14, and he alone is that gate.
We live in a time of world chaos, such that I've never witnessed in my lifetime. We all want peace... well, most of us, anyway. Some are hoping in politicians and protests and scientists and "experts," but God, and ONLY God, gives true peace and true answers to the chaos to those who seek it. Jesus IS the answer! It doesn't mean the chaos goes away. In fact, for instance, I believe more chaos, likely even severe chaos, lies ahead, not less. I know that may sound pessimistic, but I believe it to be true. Yet, in the midst of the chaos, "DO NOT be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-8 - emphasis mine)
I cannot state strongly enough, now more than at any other time, that we must exercise extreme caution and discernment, using ONLY the Word of God - the Bible - as our instruction and guide and HOPE. If any part of the "truths" we discover are in any way contrary to or do not align with the Word, run from it... far, far, away from it. Do not take with you even a tiny PIECE of anything which is contrary to the Bible.
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." ~Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 7:15-20
I will conclude with this. The other day I listened to the song below, and oh how it reminded me of this summer as I walked with God as he led me to rest in "green pastures" and "beside still waters" even with chaos all around. And oh, the peace; the wonder-full (and yes, wonderful), God-given sweet, sweet peace in the midst of chaos. Nothing compares to him. If you don't know Jesus, or want to know him more, please contact me. I would love to talk to you, and pray with and for you. The gifts he has given before we ever knew to ask are more precious than anything else you'll ever find.