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Dante Alighieri, darkness, experience, following Jesus, God's love, light, peace, prayer, rest
Quietness and Peace
(Photo credits http://unplugreconnect.com/2012/01/more-precious-than-gold-peace-and-quiet/)
Have you ever read what kind of life the apostle Paul had in mind for all who follow Christ? Did he describe a life full of cares and stress that meets the demands of others more than our own needs? Although he said “our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day,” (2 Cor 4:16 ESV), it was certainly not his intention to burden us with that statement. Actually, I began to wonder as I read some writings in the past that implied here an exhausting life for God. To put it plainly, some people thought that running around day and night like a hamster in its wheel in order to preach the gospel, to feed the poor, to help others, to heal the sick, to… (fill in the gap with what you feel is a burden in your life) would be God’s will for us. Do we believe that God really wants to see us exhausted by our doing for Him?
The second part of the Scripture I just mentioned talks about the possibility of renewing our inner, spiritual self day by day. Does that happen automatically if we run around trying to serve God as we or others see fit?
Um, well…….not automatically. Indeed, we ought to do something so that we can be renewed daily. “Oh boy, another thing TO DO for God!!” one might call out desperately. No! Thank God, it is not so much about doing here, it is more about letting go of what is not necessary to be done by us. Instead, our God wants to give us what we really need when we are together with Him, seeking His calming and joyful presence that soothes our worried minds.
“Hmm… And how do we get there?”
The pattern was given in another Scripture by Paul, again, when he said,
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim 2:1-4 ESV)
‘That is interesting,’ I thought today, as I saw that God primarily wants us to pray for others. Not so much doing anything, no, praying so that WE might lead a peaceful and quiet life. Looking a bit closer at that Scripture, it appears to me that prayer for people is the divine pattern to release His power to save them eventually, more than any of our “good” works without God’s leading involved.
Honestly, that was so relieving to realize. Settling back, praying for all people who come to mind and then enjoying God’s presence myself, I FEEL that this is the way to go (Is 30:21). Indeed, this is the way to enter His rest and to remain there, simply by acting on His tender nudges and only doing the “good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them,” (Eph 2:10 ESV) without ever leaving His peaceful and quiet presence once again. Wow!! What a prospect for the future… 🙂
We know that Jesus is THE WAY we should go because He through His Spirit guides us to the Father. If we more and more obey His loving (!) command- ments to do this and to drop that, we will see that His commandments are not burdensome at all because He is the One who pours His love into our hearts when we seek Him. Filled with the power of His love, nothing is impossible for us. We will gladly walk the way God chose for us beforehand. Even in the darkness, He will be the light that shines on our path. Finally, we will hear His voice more distinctly than others and we will rejoice in the knowledge of our wonderful and loving God and Savior who chose a, though difficult, but also glorious way to walk in. With these aforementioned thoughts in mind, I wholeheartedly agree with the quote by Dante Alighieri that says,
Follow your own road, and let the people talk.
Entering the Promised Land 
That was a wonderfully wise comment, dear Jacqui!
I do not say that I’m there yet, either, my sister, but I have experienced the truth of it lately. You nailed it, “attend this person, pray for that person”, and call her or him, write, chat, email – whatever. The many duties we impose on ourselves that are not God’s works simply sprang from Satan. Imagine that!! A new creation living ín the wrong “kingdom”? No, thanks a lot, I don’t want that any longer.
As for the new creation you mentioned, the feeling comes from God alone, as you said, by revelation. I was so glad to read today on your blog that God lets you feel and know that you are His beloved daughter. Indeed, you are His child like Jesus and Paul. 😉
Thank you for your rich response, my dear!
Love you ❤
Susanne xx
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Susanne, speaking of pastor burn-out, I know a Friends church (Quaker) pastor here in our area that was deposed from his the church that HE founded by his own elders! Why, because he rocked their boat by trying to get people to relate to and interact with one another in a meaningful way during the Sunday services.. the whole service! Panic!!!
Anyway, after he had been “out of the pastorate” for over six months it ocrured to him one day that he had been doing what he had always been wanting to do, but never had time to do as a “pastor.” He was caring for the local widows and ministering to their needs. He said to me one day, “While I was a paid pastor I never had time to be a shepherd to these women that God had put on my heart. But now that I am not one, it is great! Now I can obey what He had called me to do.”
Speaking of Jesus, Paul told the Greeks, “In HIM we live and move and have our being.” HE did not say, “In Him we live and move and have our DOING.” If our being is not first and always IN HIM where we live and move, we have NO business DOING anything for Christ and our Father’s kingdom.
“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”(Romans 5:10 KJ2000)
We are SAVED BY HIS LIFE in us, not by our lives doing good “Christian” stuff! It is here where we will find rest for our souls.
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You made me grin once again with THIS, Michael. You wrote,
Speaking of Jesus, Paul told the Greeks, “In HIM we live and move and have our being.” HE did not say, “In Him we live and move and have our DOING.”
🙂
“We are SAVED BY HIS LIFE in us, not by our lives doing good “Christian” stuff! It is here where we will find rest for our souls.”
Yes and amen, my brother.
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I have certainly been guilty of confusing God’s agenda with my own, and His timing with my deadlines. Illness finally taught me that “earning” God’s love is unnecessary. But I think a clear distinction must be made between internal and external peace. These are grievous times. Daily Christians are being persecuted and put to death, if not in our country then elsewhere. Daily children are facing starvation. We cannot be content with quiet and peaceful lives, in the face of this. I am sure that is not what you intended to suggest. However, I felt the point should be made.
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Dear Anna,
Indeed, I spoke of internal peace only. And yes, of course, “These are grievous times.” Although the times seem to get worse and worse, there were never good times on earth, I believe. Am just thinking of Jesus’ time when the cruel Roman Empire reigned and they put people to death through the agony of the cross, for example.
The problem for me arose in the past when I felt drawn to more and more saddening life stories and I suddenly found myself extremely grieved without being able to do something, that is, I saw that I could NOT truly help those who suffer in those situations you described in your response. In fact, I felt so miserable about it that I prayed to God, again and again, because I really WANTED to help. However, out of the blue, the Lord made clear to me, that He is the Savior of the world and that it is not my task to carry burdens of which He is in perfect control. If He really has something to do for me today, I know that He will let me know about it immediately. Actually, Anna, from that time on I felt extremely relieved and could give all those poor people back into God’s hands where they belong. I believe that Jesus really wants to see us resting in Him because He said,
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Mt 11:28-30 ESV)
May God bless and keep you in His perfect peace, my sister!
Love ❤
Susanne
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Just some additional thoughts on life and peace that came to mind after I had posted my last reply to you, Anna.
I believe that Paul in the NT primarily spoke of our spiritual life which should be peaceful and quiet since the New Covenant is a covenant of faith in Christ who promised to give us life abundantly (Jn 10:10) through His Spirit. Referring to those who were and are persecuted because of Christ dwelling in them, Jesus even said,
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Mt 5:10-12 ESV)
There is mystery in this, I believe, being blessed by God and full of joy while others might perceive a believer’s torment and torture for the body only (BTW, I wrote about my experiences with the difference between inside and outside view of pain here https://enteringthepromisedland.wordpress.com/2014/08/01/would-you-love-to-die-for-jesus/).
Knowing God’s heart a little bit today, I feel that our human view of things not necessarily corresponds with His thoughts and feelings because He knows the heart of the matter and the outcome of all things. We read in the OT several times statements like this,
“Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it?” (Amos 3:6 ESV)
It was humbling for me to see that God both blesses and curses by pouring His wrath on the earth, too (cf. the Book of Revelation). But God also promised to those who need His help the following,
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” (Is 26:3-4 ESV)
“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” (Is 30:15 ESV)
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I wholeheartedly agree that there has always been evil in this world. Like you, I have found it a great relief to recognize that I am not the Savior. :0) It has, also, been a humbling experience. I think, for me at any rate, the earnest desire to “save the world” (though that was beyond my capacity) was an outgrowth of abuse. I would almost go so far as to say it was an expression of co-dependence. Great — even painful — empathy; but, also, an attempt to control what was clearly outside my control. Not outside His, of course.
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Oh yes, I am able to subscribe to your thoughts on the desire to “save the world” as an outgrouth of abuse. Absolutely true, Anna! And co-dependence? YES! Same here, my sister!!
On the one hand it was easy for me to acknowledge the truth intellectually, but how difficult it has been to redraw the necessary boundaries in order to not only protect others but also myself. Pheeeeew! 😛 Still a work in process…
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Anna and Susanne, I also have a heart that God has given me to take on the sufferings of other He puts on me and at first it was crushing. I finally learned that He did not intend me to keep it, but rather to be a conduit of their pain and pass it on and lay it at our Father’s feet and let go of it to Him. I believe this is part of the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings as we abide IN Christ and do the work of Father’s kingdom priests making intercession for those in need.
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Very, very well said, Michael. Highly quotable:
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Susanne, Jesus said, “In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world.” This makes no sense! UNLESS we are truly IN Christ!!! It is only as we truly abide IN HIM that we have that peace that surpasses all understanding because we are only in the world with our bodies but our souls and spirits are enveloped IN HIM. We must “put on Christ” as Paul wrote in Romans ch. five if we are to know peace and ever be in “good cheer” in the face of our tribulations. I believe that this is very possible to achieve as we learn to truly walk by faith and many thousands of martyrs have proven it over the years. You are a blessing, my dear friend!
Michael
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How could you “know” that I had “that peace that surpasses all understanding” on my mind as well huh? 🙂 Indeed, I am often amazed at how complementary our comments are.
Be blessed, my friend and blessing in Him!
Love,
Susanne
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Susanne, It seems that very often we share the mind of Christ in that we have the same thoughts and scriptures that come to us over and over. I have this kind of fellowship with others from time to time as well and it is very refreshing when it happens. THIS is what the early church walked in as the norm and it should be that way among we who believe today if we truly belong to Christ.
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”
(Philippians 2:1-2 RSVA)
Yesssss! Love you too, my sister!
Michael
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Yes, it is always very refreshing when it happens, Michael. Sometimes I read comments from sisters or brothers that express exactly what I wanted to write and then I must laugh. Indeeed, I am so glad that we all have our individual parts in His Body. We are like puzzle pieces that only make sense when they want to be part of the whole picture, since apart from Him, we can do nothing.
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Again, I agree. Christ’s sustaining power as expressed in the “peace that passes understanding” is among the most powerful tools of conversion. It astounds non-believers, and is why the blood of the martyrs nourishes the church. Romans at the coliseum were ultimately drawn to the Christians in the ring, rather than the lions.
The burden God places on our hearts for those suffering is the other side of the coin. It goes back to what Susanne said about living out our testimony, rather than just writing about (and profiting) from it. The pastor of whom you spoke, the one consoling widows, did have a ministry. It was simply not the one he envisioned.
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Thanks, Anna. It is amazing how God comes through when we seek Him in our hour of trouble. If I remember to stop and pray when I am having a panic attack, His peace comes back into that situation. As for my ex-pastor brother. Yes, he said the same thing… he had to quit being a church pastor so he could REALLY start to be a shepherd once again and do the ministry that God had for him all along.
Thanks for your confirming comment, my precious sister.
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Yes, a puzzle is a great illustration, my sister! We are all members of the Whole, our heavenly Father, and interlocked together as well with each other. Thank you so much for this picture.
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Thank you for your sweet comment, my brother! 🙂
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I appreciate the call to Christ that all of you sounded. Your fellowship feeds me. Thank you. As I was reading, I was reminded of being a part of a church for a few years back in the eighties. The church was hungry. The fellowship was good. Then people began to have problems and thereby leave the church. That was grievous to me. I still attended for a time but I wasn’t hearing anything from God while there, until He spoke to my heart: ” You are so grieved that you can not hear me”. I said, “Oh God I will repent” , and I did repent of that grief, and once again was refreshed in the services.
Love in Him,
Pat Orr
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You’re so welcome, Pat.
Thank you very much for sharing your story on here. Actually, it IS saddening when people leave with who we had good fellowship before. Who would not be grieved about it, dear sister? But you are right, if we grieve about things we cannot change for a long time, we might become deaf to perceive God’s voice clearly. As for me, when I feel grieved about an event I cannot but accept, I always need God’s comfort to carry me through so that I am finally able to see my life from a new perspective.
Love you in Him ❤
Susanne
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The title of your article says it all..when you assimilate yourself to his ways you get peace and quiet…how do I know? I Have tried it and thus experienced it
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Glad to hear you experience it, too, Kenneth! 🙂
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Ken Burgess
22 hrs · Edited ·
Ohhhh dear sister, you have so expressed the heart, mind, nature and character of our heavenly Father in these few wonderful words. If I may I would like to punctuate what you said with this lil story. A few years ago a very dear friend and brother was going through a really rough time. He would come to our home almost daily and call when he wasn’t here. One morning in early spring I was in my back yard tending to the pool when he called to me. I invited him to join me and asked what he had on his mind. He said, “I’m really having a hard time finding out what God wants me to do. I’m faithful to go to church, pay my tithes, do this and do that and still, I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do.” I directed his attention to a tiny leaf in one of the oak trees in our back yard. I asked him what that leaf was doing. He replied, “nothing that I can see.” You’re wrong I said. That leaf is, “being,” just being a leaf.” God created it for a specific purpose and all it has to do is be…a leaf. And that means it must stay connected to the branch until it’s destiny and purpose has been fulfilled. God created us as human beings, not human doings. We are to be content in HiM being content in HiM. He is well able to work out his perfect plan and purpose in all our lives. Bless you dear sister.
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Oh, Ken – that was a wonderful comment with a beautiful story you shared on here! Thank you so very much for your comment, my dear brother. That comparison with the leaf was very well chosen by you. Indeed, I am always blessed to read another story you share, be that on “A Wilderness Voice” or recently on my Facebook Timeline. The story you shared there has been on my mind quite some time now and I dare to copy and paste it here for other readers, too. Your comment referred to the question of God using megachurches (and others) for spreading His kingdom in America. Your response fits in easily here because it displays the “doing-part” of the Church.
Ken Burgess Someone related a story to my wife and I awhile ago about a brother from China who came to America a few years back at the invitation of a well known minister friend of his. Upon arrival to this country the american asked him what he would like to do while he was here in the USA. The brother from China replied, "I would like to visit American churches in as many states as possible." After he had toured the USA he reconnected with his american host. And during conversation the host asked him what he thought about churches in America. To which the brother from China replied, "I am amazed at what they have accomplished without God."WOW!! 🙂
God bless you and your whole family, Ken!
Love in Him,
Susanne
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Yes, American Christendom, Babylon the Great, with our earthly edifices that we might make a name for ourselves and least we be scattered across the face of the earth by the Spirit Wiind with the gospel of God’s kingdom, not our own. We even raise up towers to the heavens in His name!
And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar [Babel]; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, Come, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and bitumen had they for mortar. And they said, Come, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
(Genesis 11:2-4 KJ2000)
Unless God builds the house, they who build it labor in vain.
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Amen, Michael. HE is the author and finisher of our faith, and only He builds His spiritual house. Everything else that is not of divine origin will eventually perish.
Thank you for another thoughtful comment, my brother.
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I am posting an excerpt from A W Tozer since I think he summed up new Christianity vs 1st century Christianity the best.
The new cross does not slay the sinner, it redirects him. It gears him into a cleaner and jollier way of living and saves his self-respect. To the self-assertive it says, “Come and assert yourself for Christ.” To the egotist it says, “Come and do your boasting in the Lord.” To the thrill seeker it says, “Come and enjoy the thrill of Christian fellowship.” The Christian message is slanted in the direction of the current vogue in order to make it acceptable to the public.
The philosophy back of this kind of thing may be sincere but its sincerity does not save it from being false. It is false because it is blind. It misses completely the whole meaning of the cross.
The old cross is a symbol of death. It stands for the abrupt, violent end of a human being. The man in Roman times who took up his cross and started down the road had already said good-by to his friends. He was not coming back. He was going out to have it ended. The cross made no compromise, modified nothing, spared nothing; it slew all of the man, completely and for good. It did not try to keep on good terms with its victim. It struck cruel and hard, and when it had finished its work, the man was no more.
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That’s a very good quote from Tozer. Thanks so much for posting it on here, Tony. 🙂
May God bless you!
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Thanks, Tony. Once again a true prophet of God has cut through all the lies and shows us the the “king” has no clothes.
“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing; not knowing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and chasten; so be zealous and repent.” ~ Jesus of Nazareth
Lord Jesus, reprove and chasten us until we truly are only clothed in YOUR righteousness. Strip us of our riches which we depend on and give us the wealth of YOUR wisdom that has been tested in the fire of suffering. Open our infected eyes and heal them with your spiritual sight. Amen.
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You’re welcome, Jeremy. I am glad you found the post helpful.
Actually, it IS a learning process. One day I am proud of myself when I was able to say ‘No’ to these things/people that rob me of my remainder of energy, but the very next day, confronted with a similar problem, I fail. Pheeeew!!! 😛
Kinda rollercoaster ride of rest (feeling God) and restlessness (disconnected). Yet with His help we will learn it, I believe. 🙂
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Susanne, you wrote, “One day I am proud of myself when I was able to say ‘No’ to these things/people that rob me of my remainder of energy, but the very next day, confronted with a similar problem, I fail.” That hits close to home I am afraid. I am praying that we find God’s grace and will in this dynamic tension between our well meaning hearts and His will.
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Thank you, Michael. You can be sure that I am praying with you!! 🙂
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