Peace.      Still.      Rest.

Peace in a World of Disturbance

The Burden.
Ever push to make things happen? When I do, I become anxious, worried, and stressed. All actions feel like my responsibility. Like it’s my fault when it doesn’t go well. Or when it does, the credit is mine. During these times, everything seems to key off of me, what I do, or don’t do, if I’m good enough, or not. I don’t like the stress of that kind of responsibility.

The Freedom.
When I place myself in the presence of sovereignty, I have peace. Overriding the swirl of troubles, struggles, and circumstances, a peace prevails. My actions become obedience to the sovereign God instead of an ambition to control. I realize the results don’t hinge upon my behavior or ability. God’s responsible for the results. I’m responsible for obeying. By sitting down in submission to him, I find a peaceful freedom.

The Counsel.
“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act” (Ps 37:7). I should work physically while sitting still in God spiritually. But I forget that God’s in charge, and get busy, working, feeling responsible for the outcome. When things don’t go right, the responsibility turns into temptations to take control, get frustrated, and become angry. Psalms 37:8 states, “Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm.” “Be still,” or “Stop being angry!”

The Choice.
I must choose. “Be still,” or push-through-with-all-I’ve-got. The choice leading to peace is simple, but the “Be still” follow through isn’t easy. The option keeps coming back and needs a fresh resolve. Sometimes I make the right choice, and others…

Anyhow. Do any of you, like me, search for peace in a world of disturbance?

*picture by MJ Photography

Wow, I read an incredible writing this morning. It inspired me and directed my busyness. Read and enjoy . . .

Straining and striving does not accomplish the work God gives us to do. Only God Himself, who always works without stress and strain and who never overworks, can do the work He assigns to His children. When we restfully trust Him to do it, the work will be completed and will be done well. And the way to let Him do His work through us is to so fully abide in Christ by faith that He fills us to overflowing. . . .  

There is no straining effort in an overflowing life, and it is quietly irresistible. It is the normal life of omnipotent and ceaseless accomplishment into which Christ invites each of us to enter—today and always. From Sunday School Times as written in Stream of the Desert, September 3.

Maybe the title should be Overworked vs. Overflowing. May we all obtain balance, purpose, and passion in fully abiding in Jesus!

Live well and hear “Well done.”

Robin

I miss them. The weird spiky ridges on their backs and pointy things on their heads were so cool, prehistoric looking. I remember as a kid finding horny toads in my uncle’s potato patch and watching them instead of digging potatoes. (I was being a kid. I didn’t know anything about digging potatoes anyway.)

They must have gone the way of the dinosaur. I haven’t seen any in years, no decades. Maybe because it’s been that long since I’ve been in a potato patch. Sure would like to show my kids what fascinated me as a kid.

Betcha can’t quit looking at the picture. They’re cool looking, aren’t they?

I was reminded of horny toads last evening when I found another weird looking creature in my yard. Rudyard Kipling wrote a satire of how this weird creature came to be so weird. It was titled “The Beginning of the Armadillos” They are funny looking and even funnier behaving.

Many wild creatures make messes of yards and domestic feed stores. We usually off them, especially the nasty rat-looking possums. (And I live on Possum Walk Possum Ranch.) But this guy was cute, so we helped him out of the back yard. The crazy thing must be blind. He ran full speed into poles and fences knocking himself nearly loopy. Once he got out of the yard he hightailed it to the woods like a little armored truck speeding down a freeway. (We kept the dogs penned.)

I found another pole climbing creature in my camera phone. This one is wild too—a daring (and dashing if a mother might add)He man working at a Christian camp and a worship leader-servant of the Most High God. He’s a wild man and the greatest son!

Another wild thing: Why is it if you plan a sabbatical, a rest from some ministry demands, other ministry demands fill the spot? Nevertheless, it has been good to have the change of pace so far during this month’s sabbatical from pastoring the church. Soon I’ll get back to Acts with the ladies and other stuff. July is nearly over and so will be the sabbatical.

Quick, do you know where I can find a horny toad?

Searching for wild things,

Robin

Quote from Master Dogway of Kung Fu Panda movie: “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why they call it the present.”

In response to a HighCallingBlogs Group Writing Project on the importance of taking time to get away in retreat, I laughed at my first thoughts on the project’s title, “Retreat! Retreat! Retreat!”

I didn’t envision a soft, cushy, comfort. I heard a battle command. Maybe it’s because I recently watched a movie with Charlton Heston from the 1960’s called Major Dundee. He consistently reminded his men he had only three commands. “Come. Charge. And run like…” Well, you can watch the movie, but retreat is part of the battle planning.

As a Christian equipped with armor, burdened with mission, and awaiting orders, I look to the Lord for when to retreat. If I listen carefully and obey quickly, I’ll know when to get out of the daily grind or battles and run for the “strong tower” of refuge.

My retreat brings healing, rest, and renewed vigor to accomplish the tasks of life. I can’t always get away to attend a nice retreat center like Laity Lodge, but I am able to take a walk alone, go to a coffee shop and sit, or drive with God and my thoughts (although driving retreats have recently proven dangerous).

For more serious retreats, I need a deeper withdrawal, somewhere safe to sleep, to “lick my wounds” (have God’s healing comfort applied), to recoup and regroup. My serious retreat locations can be at home, on vacations, and at retreat centers, but always they include those I love and trust, those who believe in God within me. I call upon proven prayer warriors, mentors, family, and friends.

During quiet, comforting retreats I get a clearer focus on my part in God’s mission, and retune my ears for the “Major’s” voice.

What’s that? Come! Charge! Or Retreat!

One to be change,

Robin