...are just like that, aren't they? Recently, it seems I've had a lot of 'those days.'
So many things veying for my attention. And it seems like its impossible to get somewhere that is quiet, where we can still our souls. I've had a myriad of things going on and it's not easy to switch that brain off... to stop spinning all those plates. Heaven forbit you let any of them fall!
I'm sure I'm not alone in that, am I? Maybe it's that last minute project your boss asks you to have on his desk by Friday afternoon. Or those Christmas decorations that everyone else seems to have up, except you. For others, it might be a difficult relationship that is slowly wearing you down and eroding your peace. Or a health diagnosis that has shaken you.
Jesus told us that while we were in the world we would have difficulty.
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
That's because we don't belong here. Our focus is not, or should not, be on temporary things. If that's the case, we won't be able to be bought or bullied. Satan will have to use something more damaging to try to stop us. Rest assured, the world, the flesh and the devil have it in for you, that's a given.
The whole point of what Jesus is saying in the verse is that 'peace' is a place where we can and should 'dwell.' That was why he came.... To bring us to a place where we are at peace with God and under the rule of God's Kingdom as He reigns in our hearts.
It's in those hard times, that it becomes ever more difficult to tap into the Life that Jesus died to give us. Eternal life, isn't just 'forever' it's also a quality of life, that the world cannot ever have. It's meant to be a constant in our everyday walk with Jesus. Jesus came that we might have life that is overflowing with his grace, peace and mercy.
But in order to experience this, it means pushing through and making that space in our lives to hear His voice. Perhaps it means removing things that are taking up our time and eroding our calm. For me, I had to remove games off my phone and scale back my time on social media because it was totally taking over and making me stressed and constantly irritable.
And sometimes we are our own worst enemies when we don't get enough sleep and then end up stressed and unable to deal with things that cross our paths. The with-Jesus life isn't some pie-in-the-sky experience. It's every day. With Jesus. It's choosing to live our lives, the same way that Jesus would, if He was in our shoes. So yes, its dealing with that neighbour, or work colleague. Those bills and the broken washing machine... And its not trying to accomplish too much in a day. That might take some planning, but the way of Jesus is a way of peace. Peacefulness in our own hearts. We might even find that we are spending our time doing things that others should be doing.
Peace & Grace,
Geoff.
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