Let Peace Reign

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. AND BE THANKFUL."  Colossians 3:15

I wake up most days with five things on my mind as soon as I open my eyes. Before I leave the house there may be an additional five or ten more things. Busy, distracted and unfocused my mind fills with worry about this possibility or admonishing myself because of that thing I forgot to do.

I sat this morning with my Bible, pen, journal and blanket – my favorite position to hear from God - and I wrote “Dear Lord, I want to stop this Merry Go Round I’m on but I don’t know how.” Am I alone in feeling this way? The answer to my prayer was this section of scripture.

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. AND BE THANKFUL."  Colossians 3:15

True peace comes only through Jesus. It is the kind of peace that slows down that out of control feeling and, as it slows it down,  the attitude of my heart must be thankful. I read on:

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with THANKFULNESS in your heats to God."  Colossians 3:16

Like a cooling rain or a soothing balm, the words of scripture refresh and renew. The natural reaction is a heart that becomes thankful for this respite and then worships and praises Jesus our Lord.

As I thanked God out went the anxiousness of trying to be everything for everybody. Out went the confusion of complicated relationships. In came thankfulness, compassion and forgiveness. Above all, the love of God was poured into me so I can start today with:
First – Jesus Christ
Second – His word
Third – forgiveness
Fourth – thanksgiving
Last, but by no means least - 
In came the overflowing love of God that is with me whether I’m spinning around like a top, dizzy with exhaustion, or sitting and resting at His feet.

"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."  Colossians 3:14

Let the Lord save you from the overabundance of triviality and noise in your life. Give the Lord the mess of superficial banalities that dulls our senses to what is truly important and can send our lives spinning. Let His word heal you, bring back into focus what is really important and don’t forget to be thankful.

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving THANKS to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17

by Eve Montano