Shalom

Last night I received troubling news. Troubling because potentially it could be really bad. Troubling because it makes me want to 'go there' to the place of worry, anxiety and fear. When I sat in my comfy chair with my cup of coffee and began to open up the different things I like to read this morning...all of them were saying the same thing. Shalom. Peace. Don't go there. Don't race ahead. God is here. Words to Joshua (from the Lord) were part of my reading: "Be strong and courageous", "only be strong and of good courage",  "be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid or dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go"...he said it 3 times in about 5 verses. When I walked into the laundry room to use my printer (odd place, I know), there sat my little wooden plaque that reads, 'don't worry about tomorrow, God is already there'. When I read my blessing book, there it was, prayers of blessing for the peace of God to carry me through all kinds of different situations.

Two things struck me as I began to think about the path of life I am traveling on. The last few years have been quite rugged and difficult. Many challenges to my faith, many fear-based beliefs shaken loose, wobbly foundations girded up and lies exposed. He has taken me to deeper places of trust. And it is good. The thing that really jumped out about all of this is that those trials and testings have made me stronger and anchored me in a way that has allowed His peace to wash over me today. I wouldn't be able go there with Him had He not allowed those difficult things in my life.Those things that challenged my old ways and old beliefs.

The second thing is that He is more involved and present than I ever imagined, and I know I still have a long way to go. I believe I am merely scratching the very surface of who He really is to me personally; who He says that He is to all of us. But it is so true, He is a very present help...always. One of the verses I read today is one of my all time favorites: 

Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your weary souls. Matthew 11:28-30

Imagine that. The God who created the universe. Who spoke the stars and world into existence...is gentle and humble in heart. This is a very present God we serve. And I want to spend the rest of my existence, climbing up into that gentle lap and getting to know Him better!

For me His peace and His presence are the 2 things that have come out of my difficulties. You can't see them, or touch them. You can't spend them or buy them. But they are priceless to me.
And now I leave you with a blessing from Arthur Burk's book, Blessing your Spirit:

"I bless you with peace that comes from being in the center of the will of the covenant-keeping God. I bless you with knowing in your life and in your spirit the presence of God amid chaos. I bless you with knowing in your spirit that God is pleased with you even when the plans of man go awry."