I have to remember that 'the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned' (I Cor. 2:14); however, I must also remember that those without the good news of Christ in their hearts lack much, and God has lately been speaking to me about PEACE that is found only in Christ. I am constantly observing those around me and being more and more burdened for those who really need peace, joy, & simply: life! I wonder how I appear to the world around me? Do I appear to have peace? I know their have been points in this past year that I have neglected the peace offered to my heart by trying to take back control of my fears, desires, and other aspects of life. But now that God has allowed me to surrender those things, I have found peace even through the things I am questioning, the things I don't understand, the things I have no control over, through loss, through the unknown.
Peace is a universal desire. People lack. People know that there has to be more. They wonder the meaning of life, why they are here at this place in this time, how everything came to be and where it is going.... Life is full of insecurities and hardships, roller coaster cycles of events and emotions (for most). Where is peace found?
The fact that the gospel of Christ is the source of true peace was confirmed to me this morning in Acts 10:36, 'The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)' [the scripture then goes on to share the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ].
I want to tell the world who lacks peace how Jesus Christ is the only perfect source to provide complete peace. The world is fallen. There is a captor who has held it captive for thousands of years. There was a need for a ransom. Jesus took my place on the cross by giving his perfect, sinless, holy blood as a sacrifice. No one could have controlled whether He lived or died. He could have had 72,000 angels by his side to deliver him with one word. Yet He chose to give himself so that we could have life- eternal life- and joy and peace through knowing Him. He is in control if only you let him be. By surrendering your fears, your guilt, your shame, your pride, even your possessions, dreams, desires-- He takes over these things and gives you total peace. He doesn't steal them away from you- You surrender them to Him so He can take them upon Himself and lead you on the path of righteousness, the path of life. The kingdom of darkness is characterized by fear, guilt, and shame and these things lead to death. But Christ is calling the lost into the Kingdom of Light- the kingdom of life, joy, peace... the Kingdom of God. Just as the blood of a spotless lamb was to be shed over the door to save the life of the 1st born son (the last plague in Moses' time as He led God's people out of Egypt)-- and this saving grace was offered to ALL the families-- we can choose to have Jesus' bled shed over our hearts so that death passes over us. We don't deserve it, but God loves us and desires this for us. There is nothing we can DO to gain his favor. We must put our trust in the blood of Christ, putting on the 'new man'- being 'born again' into God's family- into His kingdom and out of the kingdom of this world. Once we're in this kingdom- the battle does not end. Yes, we are SEALED by the Spirit of God-- but the enemy is not done with us. God has reminded me that He is cursed to be bruised by our heel. We have the victory as sons and daughters of God. We must continue to trust in the Lord. He is our saving strength alone.
Laura Hockett (UMKC Graduate & International House of Prayer member-- I never met her, but a dear friend, Jordan, gave me her CD) wrote a song that has really been touching my heart lately, and really shows to me the path to peace which is leaning on Christ, my rock, my refuge, my strength... These are the lyrics:
WHEN I AM AFRAID
I WILL TRUST IN YOU
WHEN I'M OVERCOME
I WILL CLING ON TO THE ROCK
THAT IS HIGHER, HE'S HIGHER
THE ROCK- HE IS HIGHER
WHEN MY ENEMY'S TOO STRONG FOR ME
I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIGHT THE FEAR
THAT COMES AGAINST MY HEART OF MINE
I CALL UPON THE NAME OF CHRIST
HE'S HIGHER, HE'S HIGHER
THE ROCK- HE IS HIGHER
WHEN MY ENEMY'S SURROUNDING ME
HE COMES TO STEAL MY JOY, MY PEACE
I LET GO OF MY REASONING
AND FALL UPON THE ROCK
THAT IS HIGHER, HE'S HIGHER
THE ROCK- HE IS HIGHER
I WILL NOT BUILD MY LIFE
UPON THE PASSING SANDS
OF HOW I FEEL INSIDE
FROM ONE MOMENT TO THE NEXT
I WILL LOVE YOU, LORD,
MY ROCK, MY GOD, MY STRENGTH,
A PRECIOUS CORNERSTONE
THE FLOODS OF DEATH COULD NEVER SHAME
OH, FOR THERE IS NO PEACE OF MIND
OUTSIDE OF TRUTH IN CHRIST
FOR THE FEAR IS REAL
AND ITS POWER CAN KILL
THE STABILITY OF OUR TIMES...
THE STABILITY OF OUR TIMES WILL BE
THE ROCK THAT IS HIGHER, HE'S HIGHER
THE ROCK- HE IS HIGHER
What a powerful song. Even the rhythm, the clapping, the drive, and the melody, the background vocals, etc. support the words completely. It delivers truth and brings me peace. Thank you, Jordan. Thank you, Laura. Thank you, Lord.
Somehow I want to bring this good news to everyone. I don't know how. I don't know what will make them listen. Jesus is Truth. He is Life. He is Peace. He is all you need.
