Hello there, again. Yes, I know, it’s been a few months since I’ve posted. But hear me out, if I posted frequently you probably wouldn’t be nearly as interested in this, right? Just kidding. Really, I’ve been soaking in the lessons God has been teaching me recently and now I feel like it is time to share one of these lessons with you. So let’s get going, shall we?
Let’s talk about confidence. I think confidence is an amazing. We all lack it at times, but have it in abundance at others. From how well we are going to do on a test, or at work, to whether or not you can get the girl, confidence is key. But in this fallen world we experience things that shake us. Things that break us down. Our confidence in God and what He can do in our lives becomes something that’s hard to grasp. We must understand that God works in every area of our life and He wants to take care of us. Our confidence in this life must be solely rooted in His greatness, and the finished work of the cross that has sanctified us in His sight. Seek Him, and He will give us not just what we need, but more than we could ever ask for. So from that test, to that job, to that guy or girl, to anything at all, have confidence in the Conqueror of this broken world.
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.“
-John 16:33 (NLT)
The Peace of Christ…
What greater joy/peace could we find besides that which is given to us through Christ? Jesus tells us to “…have peace in me.” But what does that even look like? It’s so easy to say, and even easier to imagine this peace as simply not caring about the issues in this life. But it’s way more than that. It’s acknowledging the issues we might face, but instead of walking in their shadows, stepping into the light of Christ that we already know and have accepted in our hearts. Two quick examples:
1.) Today I got a ticket for parking in a handicap spot. Now that certainly seems like a trial to me considering I don’t have 500 dollars, nor did I park in a marked handicap spot. At first, I was irate. It didn’t make sense to me that I would get ticketed for something that I didn’t actually do, and also 500 dollars? People get fined less than that for killing people! (Small exaggeration.) But, as I sat there staring in disbelief at this absurd act of the fuzz, I prayed and realized: God is greater than this. He would not allow anything to happen to us that we could not handle with His help. I found peace in that moment of absurdity.
2.) Imagine a child crying for the care of his mother, and after she picks him up, the child stops crying and cuddles up in her arms. This same comfort is what we find in Christ. In order to receive it, we must seek it. Perhaps we shouldn’t even be afraid to cry out like the little child does for his mother.
In the context that Christ tells us to have peace in Him, He is warning His disciples that the close knit community that they have invested so much in was about to disappear. (John 16:32) Of course the Disciples didn’t want that to happen, but because Jesus had said it, they knew it had to be so. The only option at that point was to rest in Him. To have peace and confidence in Him, not in the community that they were a part of. In the same way, we experience uneasiness, loneliness, bitterness, persecution of different varieties, and trouble frequently. We must seek Jesus and find our peace in Him. Did you pass the test? Does he/she like you? Will your job be successful? Don’t worry, rest in Him. (Please don’t mistake this as an apathetic attitude. Give your best effort in all things, to the Glory of God, but rest in His faithfulness even in the midst of your efforts. God is the one who gives us success.)
Consider for a moment…
When was the last time you truly rested in the Lord’s goodness? What is testing you right now?
The Conqueror Christ…
The world wages a war on the goodness of God. What better way to squash out a believer than making them cover their lamp with worry? If you are like me, anything at all can cause worry. Trials seem endless, sorrows happen too often, and personally, I can never be sure if I’ve done something dumb to upset somebody or not. But, constantly I am reminded of Jesus’s words here that regardless of the trials and sorrow, doubts, fears, or worries, HE HAS OVERCOME. How about that? Jesus is basically saying, “Chill out. This world’s got nothing on me.“* Now how is that for confidence? And we are given that same confidence! The same power that raised Christ from the dead and made Him overcome the world is in us.
The only catch to this awesome confidence is that we have know, believe, and have surrendered our lives to the living Savior, Jesus the Christ. If you don’t know if this is you, or if you haven’t ever experienced this peace that Jesus offers, email me. Ponder this thought thought as you consider all that you’ve read here: Jesus wants every human being to experience His love. It makes no logical sense to turn away the greatest gift ever given. So why would anyone do it?
The next time something causes you to doubt/fear/worry/stress out, rest in Christ. Very simply, He has overcome all things in this world, including the stuff that’s getting to you now, or anything that will ever cause you trouble.
Now, all of this may seem more than obvious, but to some people it isn’t. So share this truth! Remind yourself of it constantly as well. As usual, feel free to email me (bearlee.afloat@gmail.com) with prayer requests. God bless you guys. Love you all.
-GLS
*Translated from the actual Greek text. (Just joking)
Bearlee Afloat 