Scripture: Isaiah 32:17-18
The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
Thought for the Day: The Prophet Isaiah dreams of a day when right-living will give rise to true peace — peace within ourselves and between groups of people. It is a marvelous vision, especially at a time when unrighteous behavior and warring factions were prevalent. Within the scripture, there appears to be a correlation between righteousness and peace, and yesterday afternoon, I believe I witnessed the correlation…though in reverse. As many of you know, we had a little storm blow through the area which knocked out a lot of power, including traffic lights. I was trying to make my way home, a drive that usually takes between 10 – 15 minutes. Yesterday, it was just shy of one hour. A number of the traffic lights were blinking red, and if my memory of the driver’s education book is correct, the blinking red light makes the intersection a four-way stop. And at a four-way stop, we are to take turns. Can I just say that some people do not play nice at four-way stops. I was stunned at the number of people who thought they could sneak behind someone as if they were going to go unnoticed, but when you are the fourth car trying to sneak through the intersection, you are not very sneaky. Unrighteous behavior did not bring peace within my soul.
Though my time waiting through five blinking traffic lights gave me time to ponder. It was a bit surprising the amount of displeasure and irritability caused by the so-called sneaky people. It also perturbed me at how easily the unrighteous behavior got under my skin. When you really think about it, this less than righteous behavior will have no lasting affect on my life unless I choose to allow it. How often is our sense of peace interrupted or cast out because we allow someone else’s poor choice to take up residence within us? Maybe the correlation is not only from righteousness to peace, but maybe those of us who are at peace can bring about righteousness in those who have chosen unrighteous living.
Prayer: Provide me peace, O Righteous God, and when necessary, provide me a bit more peace. There are many things in the world that attempt to irritate and antagonize my spirit, but with your peace, even the worst of things can be changed for good. Give me your peace. Amen.
A COUPLE MORE PICTURES
OF OUR MISSION TEAM
IN COLORADO
2 thoughts on “Ecclesiological Etchings: 08-12-15”
Jack and I find ourselves so often, in traffic, trying to calm ourselves down…hahaha. We’re frustrated at these times and judgmental concerning other drivers. So, when we breathe deeply, we start laughing and the situation seems to diffuse itself. LOLOL
Laughing is never a bad response!!! The spirit is often moving amidst the chuckles.