Faith Walk

Many of my girlfriends give me a hard time about my "Jesus posts." They dislike when I like statuses on facebook pertaining to God or when I retweet things on twitter in relation to God. I have had some friends defriend me on some of these social networking sites because they didn't like that I was so into God. Is your jaw on the ground? It drives me nuts!

For one thing - I do not think I am obsessive or obnoxious about it. For another thing - perhaps they need to FIND Jesus themselves. That's an entirely different post. Ha! Any who ... I find such strength, comfort and encouragement in these biblical scriptures and inspirational/spiritual quotes. There have been so many times that I have been discouraged, broken hearted, frustrated, down ... and I came across a message that lifted me up.

Every time this happens - I call out a "Thank you Jesus" or "You're an on-time God." These occurrences are no coincidences ... I look at it as God speaking to me. Delivering a message that I needed to hear in that exact moment of time. For the past couple of days ... I have been wrestling with my thoughts and feelings about relationships or the lack thereof in my life. I have momentary lapses of time (and judgement) when I become down because I think I have no friends ... or I feel that a friend has neglected me/is failing to stay connected with me the way I'd like for them to.

This evening ... as I browsed through emails ... I cam across this:

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. —2 Thessalonians 3:16

While I was visiting Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, two trees caught my attention. Though the leaves on the surrounding trees were not moving, the leaves of these trees were fluttering with just the slightest hint of a breeze. I pointed them out to my wife, and she told me they were called quaking aspens. I was struck by the visual effect of those shaking leaves. While all the other trees appeared calm and steady, the quaking aspen leaves shook, even with only the faintest breeze.

Sometimes I feel like a quaking aspen. People around me seem to be moving through life without issues or concerns, apparently steady and secure, while even the slightest issue can unsettle my heart. I see others and marvel at their calm and wonder why my own life can so easily be filled with turbulence. Thankfully, the Scriptures remind me that genuine, steadying calm can be found in the presence of God. Paul wrote, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all” (2 Thess. 3:16). Not only does God offer peace, He Himself is the Lord of peace.

When we enter the disturbing, unsettling seasons of life, it is good to know that real peace is available in the God of all peace. —Bill Crowde

The scripture immediately resonated with my soul and brought me peace. I need to be still and know that God is in charge ... he is directing my steps and in him ... I will find peace. Lord help me to let go of the wheel ... help me allow you to direct my steps AND help me to trust in you - that the people who need to be in my life are there (even if I do not hear from them every second of the day).

I am working on strengthening my faith walk ... At finding peace in God even when I go through unsettling seasons of my life.