Peace. What does it mean to you? How do we get it?
I believe that God wants us to pursue it. Sometimes we wish for things to change but are unaware of the need to change or unwilling to do what it takes to make things better. Do you wish that certain things in your life could change? That everything would be better if they did? Until I looked at my life to see what I could do to bring about change, I was really just wishing, which we know does nothing.
So where does this change begin? It comes from within. The Son lives within us when we accept his sacrifice...the kingdom of God is within us. What?? How can I be this imperfect being if Christ is in me? That is a question that I struggle with daily. Our inner peace is important to our Father. Peace within us is reflected on the outside through grace and kindness. He wants our peace to be authentic...our inner self is the same as what others see. Our identity is in Christ and knowing this is critical to finding peace....to forgiving ourselves and acceptance of who we are...imperfect yet perfect in Him.
For those of you who know me, I appear to be strong, independent, confident. For those of you who really know me, I am only strong in Him, dependent on Him and confident He loves me. For those of you who are closest to me, you know I seek approval, acceptance, security and have a giving heart. You know I would do anything for anyone. I want to please others and make others feel loved, which is a direct result of the grace my God has bestowed on me. And for those of you who know me, I often fall short, which truly breaks my heart. When I learn or realize that I am not full of grace and mercy it literally brings me to my knees. Tears flow....alligator tears...I don’t eat...and I don't sleep. I know this grieves my Lord as well.
I want to love people the way Jesus loves me. I have not always done this well, which hurts everyone involved. I need to be still before God more often...enough to recognize my struggle and to work daily to be more like Jesus. I know that the closer I get to his perfection the more vulnerable I am...willing to make right a wrong and to put that desire for change into action. I need to learn that if I know who I am in Christ, it’s ok to be imperfect. He knows already that I am, as does everyone around me.
So, today I find myself feeling sad because of this and am asking myself: Do I know who I am in Christ? Am I walking in righteousness? Am I diligently seeking Him? Do you? Are you? My hope that your answer is yes!
"Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven." ~Psalm 85:9-11
© 2011 Barb Weatherwax
Heartfelt and beautiful! I absolutely relate.
Posted by: Hazel | October 13, 2011 at 12:20 AM