Perspective of Peace
Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
John 14:27 “peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
Romans 8:6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
How do you move from a moment of inspiration into actually letting it transform your life? This happens to us all the time - we hear something that is powerful and we just KNOW we are going to not only remember it, but live by it. But then, one hour later, we are fumbling to remember the exact words of what was said. It’s a frustrating cycle! And the question becomes how to we remain? How do we continue to be filled with these feelings of hope and life and fullness?
This exchange of peeling away and then being poured into by God is vulnerable, and one that can be so easily attacked by our fears or anxieties or doubts. But we can stand firm because we have this promise - that He keeps us in perfect peace. He gives us HIS peace. The answer to staying in the fullness of God comes in being continually in the PRESENCE of God. When we draw near to Him through prayer, meditation, reading, communion, etc, we are entering the presence of God. This is not a blind or impulsive surrender, but one made knowing that He is God, and his ways are higher and better and greater than ours. This constant reverence and orientation towards God will change our perspective. Worry is replaced with peace. Doubt is replaced with peace. Uncertainty is replaced with peace. As we keep our mind set on him, He keeps us in an imperishable peace. This promise gives us confidence to continue to move forward.
So today, as I’ve taken time to pause, remember + praise, peel away, and pour in, I will now keep a perspective of peace. Right now, draw me in to your presence, Lord. I trust your promises, that you will keep me in perfect peace and fullness of joy. This eternal steadiness gives me hope and assurance today no matter what comes next, knowing that my reward is far greater than anything I can comprehend. Thank you for being here with me. Your presence is my gain. You are my peace. As we take time to be in this moment, let’s breathe. Inhale through your nose and fill your lungs with air, expand your ribcage and relax. Exhale up and out through pursed lips as you draw everything in towards that imaginary center column. Continue this cycle as you meditate on the words of this song.
