Peaceful? Or not so much?

Peace is more than just the absence of conflict.  One can be in the thick of a fight and be filled with peace.  Likewise, another can be sitting on a tropical island sipping pina coladas and waiting for the evening to head to the local casino tourist trap and be swallowed hole with dark, empty feelings.

This is because peace comes directly from God, the One who created us.  Peace does not spring forth from our perception of how life should be.  God has given each of His guidance, and the extent at which we follow that guidance becomes the extent at which our hearts remain peaceful.

“When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.”

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you! - Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

I love my wife.  I thought of this this morning when I woke up and realized how amazing she is.  She compliments me so well that I have no idea how I lived my life without her. (other than foolishly)

I love the team that I work with @ Fellowship.  They are great guys who want to see God use our church to connect and lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.  I just had lunch with 4 of the 5 and was reminded how much I love what I do.

I love my close friends.  Many of whom I can call at a moments notice if I need advice or just someone to talk to, and they are real and solid.  I won’t name them all, but you know who you are.

I love my family.  My dad and mom and sisters and extended family who have all given me solid encouragement to fall in love with God and have a good time doing it!

When you put all these people together, not in an actual physical space, but in a special place in my mind, and I begin to realize how God has blessed me in my life, and is growing me everyday by helping me get rid of the junk and see the beautiful parts of who He has made me to be – His “divine guidance” – an incredible wave of peace comes over me.

And I see that I’m right where I need to be.