Seeking peace?
Everywhere we listen there is the call for peace, but the call is for what the individual thinks will make peace for his or her circle. Listen, people, that kind of peace is what got us to this point.
For each group, the depravity began at different points. It really does not matter at what point it began. The truth is it began and it is now a depraved state.
In order to move away from it and find the peace that we claim we are truly seeking, we must move beyond the natural realm. The peace we need and must have is not connected to the natural — it has to be spiritual. The peace that we are seeking has to be from our Creator. I am speaking of the one who will lead, guide, direct, and protect us when we decide to trust him.
Now some may be saying, “Well, I do not know that Creator that you are speaking of,” and I can understand that. But since you are breathing and thinking, you still have time to get to know your Creator. I also hope that yours can and will do what mine does, and if so, do not worry about anything beyond that.
Does he protect you? Does he guide you? Does he direct you? Does he lead you? Do you let him lord over your life? If you answered yes to those questions, then we are sharing the same Creator. If you answered no to any of those questions, then you must start with the master or the lord in your life and let him master you.
Some people may not agree with this, but I kinda lean toward believing what one of Shakespeare’s characters said — a rose by any other name is still a rose and will smell just as sweet.
You must take time to seek your peace beyond the natural, otherwise you will have no peace ever.
Your peace will be like the current under the water that seems fit for smooth sailing and safe for traveling, but once you get in the water, it is troubled and will pull you under at any time. The peace that we are seeking is the peace that comes from only one source. The source of the one who we let Lord in our lives.
In a world of turmoil and despair, we must find our peace above and beyond the natural realm. This Creator that I am speaking of has said to us: “Arise in spirit and know that I am God and that I will lead, guide, direct, and protect you when you put your trust in me. I am your firm foundation and your very present help in trouble.”.
Psalm 46 reminds us: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most-high.”
Some may ask well how did we get here? Some of us may begin looking out the window to find others to blame. Some of us will not look at the many times when we suspended our dignity, our integrity, and our honor just to get along with a dishonorable decision or a group making that decision. Many of us decided not to pick them up again or we simply forgot to pick them up because we forgot how important they were to our peace. We continued to travel down the wrong lane, knowing that the signs were clearly reading WRONG WAY.
If you are the creator of lies, keep driving. If you are putting materialistic possessions above all, keep driving. If you are your master, keep driving. The actions that will lead to our destruction are too numerous to list here, but Jesus listed them in his response to Satan when he was tested in the wilderness. Here’s Matthew 4:
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’
“Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’
“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”
We will find our peace when our response is of such that the devil will leave us and the ministering angels will surround us.