The Peace of Christ

Colossians 3:15, "And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts..." (NLT) That little three letter word "let" implies there's an obstacle between God's peace and our ability to experience it. And that obstacle is us. Too many times I choose to wallow in fear and the "what if" section of my imagination rather than on the character and promises of God. My mind feasts on lies until I can no longer tell the difference. I once heard a pastor give an illustration on fears and the lies they stem from. He said something along these lines: “It’s like when people have house guests. The first thing they do is open the door. The second thing they do is invite them in. Then they make them comfortable. Then they feed them and give them refreshments. The same is true with fears and lies.” At each step we have a choice to make. Step one: When fears and lies knock on our door will we open it? This means we start to consider them with curiosity. Step two: Will we invite them in? To invite them in means we’re past considering them. We’re intentionally meditating on them. Step three: Will we make them comfortable? This means we put down our swords. We become comfortable with the familiarity of their presence and we make it easy for them to stay. Step four: Will we feed them? This means we've gone past meditating, past letting down our guard, and are instead seeking them out. Settling into their narrative. Initiating their presence. It all starts with a choice. But that’s actually a good thing. Because through the power given to us by Christ and His Holy Spirit we can choose His peace. It starts with turning away from the fears and the lies and CHOOSING to saturate ourselves with God's presence and truth instead. I need to work on this one. But knowing God has given us the ability to choose brings hope.

Question: Have you been making the fears and lies at home in your heart lately?

Colossians 3:16, "Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives" (NLT).

1 John 4:4, "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (NIV).

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