Philippians 4:4-7 “Be glad in the Lord always! Again I say, be glad! Let your gentleness show in your treatment of all people. The Lord is near. Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus”.
On a sunny Autumn morning, I’ll enjoy coffee, reflect, and give thanks for the crisp cool air, the colorful changes in the trees and ask God to help me to remember all the blessings and struggles in my life. When we bring the things that gives us joy and concern into prayer, we put ourselves inside a much bigger picture: the story of God’s love for us in Jesus Christ, a love that is stronger than anything that can harm us or those we love. * “The LORD is near”!
Do you ever wish that the Apostle Paul might had said instead, “Bring up all of your requests to God in along with giving thanks... and God will make sure it all comes out just the way you want”? Honesty, at times, I know I have. However, this is not what Paul said.
Here is Paul, he is in a dungeon, not sure if he will face execution for his faith. What made him value the gift of God’s Peace more than even his freedom from prison?
Paul wrote that God’s peace “exceeds all understanding.” In what ways does our discomfort with mystery, our need to understand everything logically, sometimes rob us of peace? How can you put yourself and your struggles, real and troubling as they are, inside the much bigger picture of God’s grace and love for you? What would it look like if you trusted that God’s love is stronger than anything that can hurt you or those you love?
Focus on all that is good. “The LORD is near”! He will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for living your life on this earth, even when it led to a cross, inside the much bigger picture of God’s love for all of us. Teach us every day how to put our trust in your love that exceeds all understanding. Amen.
Pastor Lois Bartley
First United Methodist Church of Tonkawa
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