Joy & Peace at My Core

Philippians 4:4-8 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 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. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”

Last summer, my wife and I flew back to Minneapolis, MN for the wedding of our niece and continued a mid-West swing to visit family in Iowa and Missouri on the same trip. The hospitality we received was phenomenal, yet natural, as common practice for visiting relatives from out-of-town and demonstrated the love of family as it should be – in true love and care. On this vacation, I connected with one particular cousin, who shared in the love of God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and have been corresponding via e-mail since. As we wrote about what was going on in each of our day-to-day lives, the ups & downs & in-betweens, joys & cares & concerns, it was clear that (metaphorically speaking) despite the condition of the roads and weather of life that the rock solid foundation of the Christian faith allows us to stand in the storms and leap in the rays of the sun & Son rejoicing. Why? Let me have Patty share in her words:  

 “I know life is always full of changes, but I am grateful that no matter what is happening, I have a peace and a joy at my core. It may not always show, and at times I have a hard time uncovering it, but it is there.  And I know it’s because I know the Lord, and I love the beauty He has placed all around us, the hope He has put in us, the promises He gives us, and the place He is preparing for us." Patty

Matthew 7:24-25 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.”

This side of heaven may not be paradise, where nothing goes wrong, people won’t hurt you, right and justice may not always prevail and we should be turning a blind eye to the bumps and obstacles on this journey along our way to eternity, but remembering who gave us life, placed us here and now for a wonderful purpose, who loved each and every one of us enough to send His Son to die in our place so that we may be forgiven, restored your spirit in new life& relationship and given us a future – a today, a tomorrow and an eternity to come. Paradise and justice may be yet to come, but in that “eternal perspective” of “Victory in Christ”, we can make it through the battle with true and lasting love, peace & joy at our core, standing on the rock of our salvation, enjoying the walk & view, tending the garden of our life.

John 10:9-11 “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. ‘I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.’” John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Joy & Peace in Christ, Brian