PURSUE PEACE
PURSUE PEACE.
This year, we will be bombarded with all kinds of news! …Breaking news, Headline news, Good news, Bad news, Fake news, and even “old” fake news; yes there is already such a thing as I learnt a few days ago from a group I belong to. Yet whatever news we hear should not in any way create fear or panic in us. There should be no need to fear.
The important thing is to be very careful when we get news. Our reaction to any news that comes our way is key at a time like this. If we hear it, process it very well before reacting. If we read it, perhaps we might have to read it again before we react. And if we saw it, please blink, silently count 1 to 10 and then exhale. (Erm… or something like that) before we react.
As tough as the year 2020 was, it was the best year for some. And that is why I come to encourage us all today. This is definitely not the time to worry about what we lost or what we have been unable to achieve since the pandemic. Let us leave that to God. He can fix it. He knows exactly what to do. But if we continue to dwell on all the things that did not go right, we will soon be consumed and we just might end up disappointed again.
“So what is the way forward?” You might ask. There is only one way and that is to “pursue peace.” The bible says “Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.” Psalms 34:14 NLT Being at peace this year will happen when we shift our focus from all that is happening on the world stage. Let us be honest with each other; we cannot change anything directly right now. So let us change our worry into the study of God’s word. The solution lies therein. “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3 NLT This tells me that we must do a lot of de-clutter (in our minds). Ladies you know how much work that can be when there are certain items in that wardrobe that we do not want to part with but we must, because they have become too small even though we never wore them and just kept wishing that one day we would lose enough weight to fit into them. Yes that kind of teeth gritting before we let them go, is what we might have to do when clearing out our minds. This is not the time to be focusing on things that will only weigh us down. Let them go. This is not the time to be peeking at our neighbour, our competition, our ex, or even our sisters, brothers and bffs and quietly eyeing, envying or coveting their newly acquired property in Ikoyi, their brand new car, their shoes, their designer hand bags, their outfits, the splendour displayed at their child’s wedding last month or whatever else we are busy wishing we had. Let us appreciate what we have. Thank God for that and thank God for life.
Please note that only if our minds are stayed on and focused on the Lord, will we be at peace. This also tells me that when we occupy our minds with all sorts of negative things, peace will be far away from us. Please note the word “work” to maintain peace. That means it is not a once and for all thing. Even if we achieve peace now, we must make continuous efforts on our part to maintain it. But let us not neglect to ask God “Create in me a clean heart, O God;”Psalms 51:10a KJV The more we focus our thoughts on God, His goodness, mercy, love, grace, provision and promises; there is no way fear, negativity or panic can dwell within.
I urge us therefore as the word of God does “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 Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Phillipians 4:6-8 NLT
PURSUE PEACE AND DO ALL YOU CAN TO MAINTAIN IT.
We all know that COVID 19 is real; but believe me;
GOD IS MORE REAL THAN COVID! LET US FOCUS ON GOD!
OLUYINKA EGO-MARTINS ©