Our church has studied the names of God this autumn semester. Pieces of a revelation came to me at various times during that study. The Holy Spirit pulled it all together as a word. We all want peace in our lives, and this season of Christmas promises that God wants peace for all people. The word knitted portions of my walk with God together regarding how to receive the peace He wants for us all.
First, I choose to be boldly obedient to what the Spirit calls me to do. He encourages me through reading the Bible, praying, and listening to the still small voice in my spirit. That choice is continually before me; I can carry out His preferences or those of my own soul. His plan for my life always includes serving others. Sometimes, the easy path is to let myself off the hook and ignore that quiet voice. But obeying the call is always a blessing.
Once I decide to be obedient, I then see that our God is trustworthy because others are blessed and in turn, I am blessed as well. My trust in Him grows as I see that His path for me is good. As I walk that path, I live with greater and greater certainty that I heard correctly, and that He knows me so well that He always speaks in ways I can understand.
As my trust grows, the path I walk becomes restful. Resting in the Lord is not inactive; indeed, it continuously leads me onward to know Him more deeply and to serve others more completely. Resting in His direction keeps me from adding too many activities to my plate; His plan allows me to accomplish what He asks with excellence. Being stretched too far and for too long dilutes the effect of my service. Walking in rest changes my prayer life too; it becomes a lifestyle moment by moment instead of a chore that must be done and checked off the list.
And walking in a life that is full of prayer and restful instead of stressful yields a life full of peace as Paul promised:
Philippians 4:6-7 Don’t worry over anything whatever; tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer, and the peace of God which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus. The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Phillips copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips. Administered by The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Used by Permission.
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