"I'm Gellin'!" ?

Wind-driven rain blows in his face as he waits for a taxicab. A look of misery is written all over his face, then.... magically some blue gel insoles slide into his shoes and he relaxes, just as the taxicab arrives. As he reaches for the door, another man shoves him aside and jumps in the cab, but our hero doesn't mind because he saying, "I'm gellin'!" The Dr. Scholl's company makes great foot care products and those silly advertising commercials featuring a stressed individual who is suddenly strangely soothed by the amazing gel inserts for shoes that make his feet feel oh, so comfortable! Is that all we need to deal with life's pressures?

The Word offers disciples of Jesus Christ a way to live with serenity! Many of Paul's letters open with this greeting: "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 1:2, NIV) In another passage we read that "God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13, NLT) Then there is this oft-quoted verse: "The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7, NIV)

With such great and wonderful promises, why do we spend so much time anxious, worried, and at odds with those around us?

Living in the peace of God requires more than sole inserts. At issue is the state of our soul! Buddhism suggests that the road to bliss is the way of detachment. Is the peace of the Christ-follower found in detachment? No! We need not escape to a monastery, move to the mountains of Montana, or quit our job to live in the peace of Christ Jesus. The basic choice that must be made is trust, making the decision to take each day as it comes, while trusting God without question. Easier said than done, isn't it? As long as we are fighting with God for control, we will not live in peace. When we embrace Him, giving ourselves up to His care, we open the door to being filled with supernatural hope, joy, and peace.

Living in peace also means choosing to obey Him. If we refuse to conform our thoughts and actions to His commands, the Holy Spirit cannot live in us as promised. When His Presence lifts from us, we feel orphaned and alone. Be careful on this point. Do not make your own perfection the focus of your efforts. That will rob you of peace, too. Instead, seek to stay connected to the Lord, to love Him and listen to the Spirit as He leads you. When He asks you to forgive another, do it! When He prompts you to hold your tongue, do it! When He urges you to put another's interests over your own, do it!

Living in the peace of God will mean that you learn how to order the priorities of your life. We define ourselves by what we do! 21st century Americans are addicted to noise and activity. Our brains are so over-stimulated that we actually grow agitated when things quiet down. We live at full speed for much of each day and even well into the evening. Our TV's blare from the corner of the room. Our cell phones, computers, and Blackberries never cool down. No wonder the peace of God escapes us. The Shepherd's voice, calling us to lie down in green pastures, is obliterated by the noise! Don't tell me that you have no control over this. Certainly there are days when things are hectic, but with discipline and the ability to say, "No" to the good for the sake of the best, we can find a place near the heart of God.

Gel sole inserts won't produce peace. Medication can grant a kind of 'peace,' but it's not the heart-deep, soul transforming, sweet rest promised by Christ. You knew that, and so did I. Disciple, I challenge you to consider your ways and your days. If there is no peace, then something is awry in your relationship with God.

Take this word from the Word as God's Word to you today:
"Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts." (2 Timothy 2:22, NLT)

"May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together (at peace!) —spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:23, The Message)
_______________________

Far away in the depths
Of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial-like strains
It unceasingly falls
O'er my soul like an infinite calm.

What a treasure I have
In this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away
While the years of eternity roll.

Ah soul, are you here
Without comfort or rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your friend
Ere the shadows grow dark.
Oh accept this sweet peace so sublime.

Peace, Peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above.
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray,
In fathomless billows of love.

Wonderful Peace
Cornell, Warren D. / Cooper, W. George © Public Domain