Why Joy And Peace Amidst The Muck And Mire?

So many things occupy my heart and mind.  However, only one thing matters.

All around us is chaos.  We are bombarded with news reports that involve death.  We hear of evil attacks on a daily basis...often on an hourly basis. Often times, when I hear sirens these days, I think......"I wonder who got shot now."

It sounds so cliche to say, "why can't we love one another?"  What planet am I living on, right?   I can't seem to wrap my head around the things I see on the news.  I can't wrap my head around the anger and "me" mentality that we are bombarded with on the news.  I can't understand why anyone would want to live a life of hatred when there is a better way. A most "Excellent Way."  This most "Excellent Way," is the way of Jesus. Jesus says "I am the way the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except though me."  (John 14:6)

Is life glorious and perfect when we follow Jesus?  Oh how I wish. However, saying that, I will answer it another way....completely contradictory to what I just said....that answer is Yes.  What??? How can I say "oh how I wish," and then say "Yes, it is."  I still live in this world....this imperfect and sinful world.  An imperfect and sinful world that I, too, contribute to with my sin....with my unloving ways, with my "me" mentality.  No, maybe I don't shoot anyone, but I sin in different ways. Do I always "love" those in my life?  Oh sure I try too, BUT, I fail continually.  And even when I do "love" those around me, is it always with a sincere heart?  Oh, my, no.  Do I speak kind words always?  Absolutely not AND to make matters worse, if a person could read my mind on MANY occasions, let's just say.....thank God they can't.

But then there is that deep down Joy.   Where does that Joy come from? That Joy that lives down deep?  The Joy that allows me to muddle through the "muck and mire" of this world?   The Joy that
allows me to walk through the sadness of losing loved ones?  The Joy that lives in my heart and helps me to stay strong, to be encouraged and to press on.  The Joy that helps me focus on what is 'good' and the many, many things there are to be thankful for.

Through my life and my many trials, Jesus has taught me that through it all, there is only One thing that matters.  Only One!  Jesus.  He has taught me that this life is temporary....OH SO TEMPORARY....and that believing in Him as my Savior and following Him is where true Joy comes from.  Even when life is awful....and oh it can be and will be......no one can steal that Joy from me.

You see, it all boils down to One thing......I am loved by God.  You are loved by God.  He has chosen me.  He has chosen you too.  "We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19). No matter what this world may do to us or what we see going on around us, God is still good.  His promises are true.  The Joy that lives down deep is because He promises "peace that passes all understanding."  He tells us this..... "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."   Philippians 4: 6-8.

I surely don't know a lot of things, but I do know this one thing.  God does not lie and His promises are true.  He is a faithful God and He guards our hearts and minds in Him.

Through it all, we muddle through.  And yet, through it all, the Joy that lives down deep is mine.  No one can take that "Gift" from me.  No one. 

                                                                       

References for Philippians 4:6

• Cross References

• 8 4:6 - Mt 6:25-34
• 9 4:6 - Eph 6:18 ; 1Ti

                                  

References for Philippians 4:7

• Cross References

• 10 4:7 - Isa 26:3 ; S Jn 14:27 ; Col 3:15
• 11 4:7 -                                                       

                                                                          

Freedom and Love

So much has happened in the last few days. Sudden change.  Sadness hitting families in ways that you can only understand if you are them.  As one sits back and "watches" and is simply quiet, sadly, you can hear all around you how life goes on without a thought.  We nastily judge each other and obviously, think of ourselves as "better than" - if not, than why do we do it?  You see families ripped apart by the "better than" mentality and it's all so very sad.  Comparing ourselves to others and talking behind each other's back. The only reason we could possibly justify doing this is to make our insecure selves look better.

This life isn't a dress rehearsal.  This is it.  I pray that making the most of the life we are given would be a priority to us all.  That loving one another would be something God would impress upon our hearts because in the end, love is all that matters.  I pray we would love those God has put in our life, if for no other reason, than because they are God's child too.

Hug and love each other as if today is your last day with them.  Because, truly, you never know, it just might be.

Happy Independence Day.  Many have fought and died for our freedom.  The Lord Jesus died for our freedom from sin and death.  Those who believe in that will live on for eternity.  Let's not take for granted these blessings we are given.