The wisdom
that comes from God is first of all pure, then peaceful, gentle, and easy to
please. James
3:17
Then I
need a lot more wisdom from God. Stop laughing no really stop laughing. We both
know I need more wisdom. Yesterday it became uncomfortably clear to me that a
number of people and families around me at in great turmoil.
Turmoil
comes in so many packages and shapes and sizes. For one it is the apparent
redirection of a lifelong ambition, for another it is the closing of his
employer, another family has lost a loved one to death, another is dealing with
addiction, others with chronic health issues and finally another adult has
moved in all unwrapped and with no easy remedy. It is just one thing after
another in folks around me at the moment. It is unsettling. That is what
turmoil is, unsettling (cha as Carolyn says). We need wisdom.
From and
entry titled “A Heart at Peace” from Just
Like Jesus Max Lucado writes,
“Jesus’ heart was peaceful. The disciples
fretted over the need to feed the thousands, but not Jesus. He thanked God for
the problem. The disciples shouted for fear of the storm, but not Jesus. He
slept through it. Peter drew his sword to fight the soldiers, but not Jesus. He
lifted his hand to heal. His heart was at peace.”
We see in
his life his response to the turmoil bundled in many shapes and sizes. You may
be tempted to say, “Well he was God. I am not God.” That is true, he was and
you are not. Hear then what Jesus says to me and to you,
“Are you
tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll
show you how to take a real
rest. Walk with me and work with
me—watch how I do it. Learn the
unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
Keep company with me and you’ll
learn to live freely and
lightly.” Matthew 11:28 The Message
Jesus does
not pass off the task. No assistant, angel, servant no, the Master himself will
handle your turmoil. He alone will bring his wisdom to your situation and your
heart to give you peace in the midst of the mess. That is personal service,
personal attention and person-to-person caring. Here is the result when we
finally come to HIM.
6-7 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let
petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your
concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming
together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens
when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians
4:6-7 The Message.
Turmoil is
part of life. Just watch the news for a moment or two, you will see turmoil.
Think of your family for a moment you will see turmoil or its’ after effects.
It’s there but so is peace. Jesus is titled Prince of Peace and gives us an
open invitation to join him in his peace.
So what’s
stopping you from accepting?
In His
Service and Yours
The Rev
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