An Idle Vessel Can't Be Steered

Photo credit: Free-images.com

Someone recently compared living our faith to driving a boat: the captain can steer the boat only if it’s moving. Similarly, God can guide us as long as we’re trying to do what’s good in any particular situation.  

This is a fitting analogy, but what does that look like in our everyday lives? It means if we keep moving – if we’re mindful of the people around us, if we remember that Christ is with us at all times to empower us, if we keep trying to do what’s good – we’ll make forward progress in bearing fruit. We’ll bring the kingdom of God – Love and Peace – to earth. When we show all people that they are loved, we bring peace to ourselves and the people around us.

Keep moving. Are you feeling a bit empty or unfulfilled? Are you looking for a way to give a little more to your community? Keep moving. Don’t let uncertainty stifle you. Do what you believe is the next best thing. Even if you’re not sure which way to go, do something good. Look for where there’s a need. Take the first step and let God guide you. Notice when there’s an opportunity to say or do something kind – something that offers the love of Christ to another person. Even small gestures may seem insignificant to you but actually might touch someone’s heart in ways you’ll never know about. 

Bearing fruit requires reaching out and going out – out of ourselves, out of our comfort zones, out of our way – to speak a kind word, offer a helping hand, and share our material goods with those in need. We’re mindful of each moment and each situation as it comes. We keep our eyes and hearts open to others. We pray mindfully and let the power of Christ influence how we love our neighbor.

Let our Lord steer your ‘boat’ toward Him and His peace. If you keep moving and keep trying, He’ll direct you. 

Let Him guide your thoughts, words, and actions. Let Him lead you with His grace and power to bring His Love and Peace to you and your part of the world.

“I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will last.” 

– John 15:16

“Lord, guide me toward You and what You want me to do.”

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2023 Gina Bedell     Comments are always welcome! 

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P.S.

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Let Peace Find You

 

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  --Romans 1:7

This persistent respiratory infection has slowed me down quite a bit. You’d think that would’ve put me in a tizzy – who has time to be sick in December?? But I don’t have the energy for a tizzy and so, odd as it may seem, this slowdown has been a blessing.

Our Christmas tree still isn’t up but I know we’ll get to it eventually. In the meantime, the other decorations around the house are making me smile. I appreciate online shopping like never before! On the few occasions when I have gone shopping, I’ve had to go at an unhurried pace and in small blocks of time. This isn’t COVID but I keep a safe distance and wear a mask to keep my germs to myself. Instead of thinking of ALL I have yet to do, I try to focus on the ‘now’ and thank God for the one person I’m shopping for in that moment. Yes, I’m sad that I might miss some festivities in the next week or so; I can’t deny that. I also can’t dwell on it. Instead, I’m taking care of myself and thanking God for what I can do. Overall, I feel a great sense of appreciation and peace. What a blessing.

When we slow down, act mindfully, and thank God for His gifts and people around us, we invite His peace to settle over us. We let His peace find us.

Try this: As Christmas gets closer, especially this last weekend before Christmas Eve, resist the urge to get caught up in the frenzy that seems to infect most of us and spread like a nasty virus. Before you pull out of your driveway, pray a short prayer; keep it simple, like, “Lord, keep me kind and patient.” When you’re out shopping, slow your walking and breathing as you make your way through the store. Then – and this is the fun part -- see how many people you can make smile. Make it a game and keep count! When standing in line, remember that no one likes to wait and everyone else has other things to do, too. So, instead of joining the others who are sighing and impatiently shifting packages around, catch someone’s eye and smile. Practice friendly small talk. A little effort on your part could create a minor epidemic of joy and peace to the other shoppers.

Yes, you have much to do; it won’t get done any quicker if you’re grumbling the whole time.

So, slow down and let peace find you. You just might spread it to others – and even get them to smile back.

 “Lord, bless me with Your peace as I prepare for Christmas.”

 

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2022 Gina Bedell     Comments are always welcome! Feel free to share it with your friends by clicking on one of the icons below. Thanks!

 If you would like to receive these reflections directly to your inbox, please email me at ginabedell1@gmail.com and I will add you to my ‘BCC’ email list.

 p.s.

We continue to pray for an end to the war. If you’d like to help the people of Ukraine through the Cleveland Maidan Association, you may use either PayPal or a credit/debit card here:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/...

 

 

Instruments of Peace

 

(Photo credit: Guilherme Rossi)

 

“Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.”

(Attributed to St. Francis of Assisi)

 

Christ is called The Prince of Peace (see Isaiah 9:5-6). Throughout Scripture, He brings peace to people through His actions of healing their wounds, freeing their minds, and calming the storms around them. We bring His peace to the people and difficult circumstances around us when we imitate Him.

In his book, Access and Release God’s Peace, Paul Martini writes, “Peace does not mean we are passive; rather, peace is a weapon of advancement for the Kingdom of God that opens doors in the most difficult of areas. Peace is something that we can access so that we can give it away to others – it is not just for us” (page 17). (I highly recommend this insightful and inspiring book!)

Bringing peace means being mindful of Christ’s peace within us and being proactive in letting Him guide our actions. We are instruments of His peace when we give it away.

We sometimes think of ‘peace’ as constant ease and tranquility, but Jesus told us “in the world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). Instead of thinking that peace is the absence of trouble, we access Christ’s peace within us to share it with others and bring His peace to the situation.

We bring peace when we listen to understand, without judging. We bring peace when we show compassion and kindness. We bring peace when we offer an olive branch. Praying for Christ’s peace doesn’t mean praying that someone passively accepts, say, an illness or a difficult situation; it means praying for healing.  

Let’s use the analogy of driving on a highway. How we mistakenly think of Christ’s peace – a constant state of tranquility -- is kind of how we think of cruise control. We mistakenly think that if we set the cruise, our travels on the road will be easy, smooth, and calm. But driving with the cruise turned on is passive. We hardly notice our surroundings until we encounter someone getting too close, and then we may react aggressively. We may feel victimized by our circumstances; this adds stress to the drive. On the other hand, with the cruise turned off, we might drive more mindfully and carefully, making constant, smaller changes to adjust our speed when necessary. We’re more aware and proactive, and this brings peace to our journey.

In life, as on the road, we can be mindful of our circumstances and be proactive in sharing the peace that Christ offers us. We don’t sit by passively waiting for the storms to pass, or trying to accept them as they come. By the actions we choose, we give this peace to the people and circumstances around us. We can be instruments of His peace – to heal, free, and calm our neighbors and the difficult situations they face.

“Lord, show me how to bring Your peace to others.”

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2022 Gina Bedell     Comments are always welcome! Feel free to share it with your friends by clicking on one of the icons below. Thanks!

 If you would like to receive these reflections directly to your inbox, please email me at ginabedell1@gmail.com and I will add you to my ‘BCC’ email list.

 p.s.

We continue to pray for an end to the war. If you’d like to help the people of Ukraine through the Cleveland Maidan Association, you may use either PayPal or a credit/debit card here:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/...