Peacemaker part 3
Peacemakers will be KNOWN as the Son(s) of God, because God IS our peace. And what's inside comes out. When you know and believe its in there. Look at Philippians 4:5-7 (NAS), "Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Today I'm going to focus on God being YOUR peace, but only so that the God in you can be someone ELSE'S peace. Receiving and releasing, right? We have to know (and believe) there's something inside us before we can let it out. We have to HAVE peace before we can MAKE peace. We have to BE peaceful ourselves in order to BRING peace to others. Because you can't give what you don't have, and you can only give what you do have. Let me say it another way: "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye" (Colossians 3:13). Our forgiveness comes from being forgiven. Our ability to be peacemakers comes from that peace that passes understanding. And, really, that's what peace IS. It is that inner calm when there is no rational reason to BE calm. It is letting what's inside come out, and affect what's outside, instead of letting what's going on around you dictate to you. its the difference between being a thermometer and a thermostat. One just takes the temperature. The other one SETS the temperature. And remember that Rant series I did about meekness? Meekness is not weakness. It is strength under control. It is being strong in the Lord and the power of HIS might. It is understanding that love is all-powerful. And while love isn't afraid to prove itself (HIMSELF), He also doesn't feel the need to force His own way on anybody. Love turns the other cheek, right? Love doesn't push back. Because when you push, usually only one of two things will happen: Either the person you push will push back, or the person you push will fall over. And from love's point of view, neither one of those outcomes are desirable. So what am I saying? Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. Don't be anxious. Let things be what they are. Seek first to understand instead of always trying to make square pegs fit into round holes. Just because something is right for you doesn't mean its right for everybody. Its ok to be different. So don't try to force things. Sometimes all you can do is plant a seed. And you might not ever see it bear fruit. But that doesn't mean it won't bear fruit. Some plant, some water, but God brings the harvest, right? Trust Him. Trust love. Love is the most peaceful thing there is. Because love doesn't demand its (HIS) own way. So let the peace of God reign in YOUR heart. Be still, and know that He is God. His peace will guard your heart and keep it open to love. So that you can receive it and release it. So that you can experience it. Experience the peace of God, and then share it. Let it in, and let it out. Then people will see who you really are. People will see God in you, because they will see love in you!