I’m sitting in a favorite cafe’ reading through some commentary material in preparation of Sunday’s message and cannot help but overhear a few conversations around me. To my right are two guys that, when I arrived, were talking about business. To my left is a gentleman that I distinctly noticed as being heavy hearted, if not depressed. He’s wearing a shirt bearing the logo of his company and he’s pouring over something related to work.
The phone rings. The gentleman to my left becomes clearly agitated and begins cursing. Obviously a lack of peace to say the least. The guys on the right had since changed conversation to the things of Christ (whether it was a witnessing opportunity I don’t know)…clearly the business discussion was fading into the background while the guy on the left had seen business come so much to the foreground that everything else seemed to be in its shadow.
Meanwhile, I’m reading about the promised Holy Spirit in John 14. The two-fold description Christ gives the disciples in this section (vv.25-31) is that the Spirit is a teacher of truth and the giver of peace. The stark contrast of the conversations around me seem to provide a pretty clear word-picture of the very thing I’m reading.
I cannot say if the guy to the left is or is not a believer. But the fruit of peace in that moment was absent. What marks you? The Spirit of God is the giver of peace. Is the world and its concerns choking your peace, or are you allowing the Spirit to put things in their proper perspective so that the things of the world do not appear bigger than they really are?
In a sense, this is why I throw BIG doctrines at the body of UBC. I pray that the Spirit of God would work through the sword of the Spirit (the Word) in your lives to keep things in their proper perspective so that the believer both knows peace AND shows peace.
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21
Grounded 
I was caught by the title of this blog, and found that my weeks have consisted of similar happenings. I am a freshman in a secular college seeking to live in this world as a messenger to another, being Heaven. During lunch I attempt to study for a class and work on any homework I may have, I tend to get distracted by conversations that speak of God and “religion” in either a positive or negative light. One particular conversation I overheard this past week was on the authority and validity of God’s word. The man who claimed to be an atheist was arguing with a young christian lady on how humans, being so imperfect, could be used to write down God’s perfect words. He was asking how it was any different than any Christian author “writing for God.” She attempted to try and refute the argument by bringing free will and explaining that God did not make the authors of the Bible write, but that they chose to allow God to use them for His glory…etc.
I was surprised how she handled the situation with a peace of mind knowing that God alone can change the individuals heart and bring him to an understanding of the promises of scripture and the Truth therein. It is hard to be at peace at all times, but it is even harder to think that God, being the promise keeper, could ever not keep His word and do the best thing for us. Thank you for all of your blogs, I do not always comment…but I do read and think! I am praying for you, and I know you pray for us. Thank you!
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Amen. I am glad I found your blog. This post is timely. We are studying Revelation in our church. I recently covered the title, speaking to the fact Revelation is meant to be understood, but will only be possible through the Holy Spirit. Throwing big doctrines at believers is needed more now than ever.
God bless,
Brett
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