Peace comes from God. The inner peace that gives us a subtle calm in the middle of a raging chaotic mess is our gift from our Creator. He knows what we need when we need it. He fills us with peace. And because he lives in us, he also fills us with the ability to make peace. We are given wisdom, pure wisdom. This wisdom is not manipulative. It is not harmful or deceitful. This wisdom is pure and good. This wisdom yields peace – both in us and from us. It is like planting seeds in our hearts of peace. When we nurture and provide the right environment (following God), our seeds produce a harvest we can share with others.
When we are filled with God’s wisdom, we are able to find ways to bring about peace in situations that would otherwise know no peace. This is not because we are good negotiators. It isn’t because God’s children have an extraordinary gift for bringing about peace in their own ability. It is only because of God living in us and through us. Peace comes because we seek to make peace, following God’s plan. We do not seek revenge. We do not seek vindication. We do not seek other’s harm. Even those we disagree with (and doesn’t that seem to be most everyone now), we still can make peace. It comes from us because God has given us this wisdom.
If we find we are not bringing about peace, either in our own lives or in the lives of those around, we may want to re-evaluate. Are we being peacemakers? Are we forgiving as God taught us to forgive? Are we living as children of God? Are we loving as he has taught us to love? Are we making peace in situations where he leads us? Is God’s wisdom filling our hearts or is it our own plans and desires?
May God’s peace fill you today. May his wisdom guide you to share peace with others. May you live in peace, even when the world is in chaos.
Focus Scripture:
James 3:17-18
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
SEEING THE EXTRAORDINARY 