iCrucified

[10SEPT2011] Peace in Complexity

Readings from the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer)

Psalm 139:1-17

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body… Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex. Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed (Psalm 139:13-14, 16 NLT).

There is a reason that life is not “simple.” The reason is because we are complex. We are made in the image of GOD and we are intricately complex as a result. It is no wonder then, when our “flow with the Divine” is broken or disrupted we struggle. We need help with life, and of course, GOD, our Father, knows this… He is always near to guide and support us, His children. We can take comfort in this when the weight of life’s frustrations bear down upon us.

O LORD, I can never escape your presence. I can never escape from your Spirit. No matter where I m, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me (Psalm 139:7-10 NLT).

Philippians 3:18-19; 4:6-7

Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell GOD what you need, and thank Him for all he has done. Then you will experience GOD’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Jesus Christ (Phil. 4:6-7).

This verse encapsulates, for me, the reason it is so important for our existence and being to be rooted in Christ Jesus. There is no (zero) peace without complete trust in Him. Life is simply too complex… we are too complex to “make it on our own.” Life is too complex even if we have help from anywhere other than Jesus Christ. Our help comes from the LORD, the Maker of Heaven and Earth! Only through trusting Him will we have the peace that guards our hearts and minds…and keeps us whole.

I was thinking what a great example of peace, sustaining power, divine wisdom and renewal, and godly strength is illustrated in the story of Elijah as he went up against the prophets of Baal and Ashtoreth (1 Kings 18:41-19:8). Several things strike me as pertinent to trusting God as our source of strength, peace, and guarding our hearts, minds, and physical well-being as this story unfolds. First, as somewhat of an aside, I am encouraged by the persistent obedience revealed in the character of Elijah’s servant. Second, I witness God giving “special” strength to Elijah at the moments that he needed it. Third, Elijah left his servant and went out alone into the wilderness to be attended to by God and to be instructed personally by God. Fourth, God sustained Elijah supernaturally when it was necessary. Elijah did not have to worry or fret for his needs… each need was provided for him in the portion that he required.

All of these passages reveal a certain theme to me in the calling of God’s people to trust Him with the complexities of life. We are so easily distracted when life hurls a curveball our way… honestly; we have enough trouble just handling the everyday fastballs of life. God says to us that “He’s got this.” Our role is to listen intently to His Voice, trust Him implicitly, and allow His peace to guard our hearts and minds. We are complex creatures. We need Divine guidance to maintain harmony in our complex nature. The only place to find peace for our complexity is in the One who created it.

My Prayer—

But I will call upon the LORD, and the LORD will rescue me. Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the LORD hears my voice. He ransoms me and keeps me safe. Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall (Psalm 55:16-18, 22 NLT). For your promises are by all the honor of your Name. As soon as I pray, you answer me: you encourage me by giving me strength. The LORD will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me (Psalm 138:2-3, 8 NLT).