To hear the words of God, the voice that spoke the entire universe into existence, the voice that makes demons tremble but the storm calms, to "walk and talk with Him in the garden alone", this is the meaning of life. More valuable than the food the sustains life are the words that gave life.
Being alone with our creator, listening, learning, honoring His unspeakable glory should be every Christian's driving force. Prayer time, scripture study alone with the author Himself, being in God's presence is how we find peace and joy in life. The voice that calmed the storm calms our heart when we seek him alone.
Let nothing take priority over time in his presence, listening, being loved. Let nothing interfere, nothing interrupt, for it is that time alone in God's presence that defines life.
The entire town came, after just one day! The entire town. No advertising, no fancy buildings, no marketing, no entertainment, no membership drives, not even so much as an invite! Yet the entire town came in one day.Why? Because Jesus spoke in authority, walked in power and touched people where they needed it most. He met their needs, not their wants. That's the mission of the church... To meet needs by walking in power.Nothing else is necessary if there is power to meet needs.
We do not gain access to heaven through our own efforts. There is nothing we can do to become acceptable to Him. Nothing. Eternal life is a free gift, unearned and undeserved, a gift from God himself. It is not our talents, our wisdom, or hard work, our good heart, or good deeds... None of that is good enough. Life as a child of God is a gift and a miracle.
We are children of God, able to walk freely into the presence of our father the Creator of the universe, simply because he has accepted us in spite of ourself. This is the Peace of the gospel! It is all him! We did nothing to earn it so we can not lose it. We can rest at peace each night knowing that no matter how badly we messed up, we are children of a holy good who accepts us. He loves us and forgives us daily.
We can stop trying to measure up, to use willpower and self help methods, to be strong. None of that matters! All we need is to rest in His peace, keep our eyes on Him, and trust that He will finish what he started. It's all him and none of us! That is Peace! We are his, safe in his hands, safe from our own past and present, safe from every enemy. We can be at peace.
To find such Peace today, just stop trying. Give it all to Jesus and wait on Him. He is faithful to bring us into the presence of our creator, into his glory, washed clean of our past, forgiven just because He loves you.
