What separates you from God’s peace? St. Paul tells us that Jesus is our peace. Ephesians 2:14 says, “For He is our peace, He who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through His flesh.”
What is your div
iding wall – what keeps you having God’s peace? Is it stress from striving to advance your career to make more money? Does that, then, lead to even more stress due to time demands? Does our society’s definition of happiness fuel your consumeristic drive to buy more stuff, to go on extravagant trips?This usually results in higher credit card balances which only exacerbates our stress. Do you worry about money?
Is it our pride that hopes that by having the right house, the right car, the right clothes, going to the best restaurants, seeing all the first-run shows, vacationing on the Riviera, is that the money we need to spend so that others think of us as successful? Is that what it takes for us to feel good about ourselves?
These are walls of enmity. The world’s ways to peace and happiness are hostile to God. They divide us from God. They lead to anxiety and animosity, and keep us from becoming better stewards, holier disciples. It is only in putting God first in every facet of our lives that we gain the peace we truly seek. This is an over-arching message of this ministry.
Embrace the truth of how much God loves you, how much He blesses you. And then respond by accepting the challenge of putting God first. First in your time each day. First in using your Talents to serve. First in spending your Treasure to help the poor. Do that and see if you don’t begin to gain a sense of His peace in your life.
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