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/...

 

Where Is God?

 

 

“Had not the Lord been with us,

Let Israel say,

Had not the Lord been with us,

When people rose against us,

They would have swallowed us alive…

Blessed be the Lord, Who did not leave us…

Our help is the name of the Lord,

The maker of heaven and earth.”

 --Psalm 124:1-3, 6, 8

 

Hear the gratitude, relief, and joy expressed by the Israelites. The Lord stayed with them and helped them when they needed it most. “Had not the Lord been with us...”  They knew He had been with them from the beginning. He was with them when all was well, and He was already there when their troubles started. We may not know all the details of their struggles or how He saved them, but it’s clear they recognized and celebrated that God was with them through their difficulties. 

Where is God now, thousands of years later?

God lives in you; His love created you. He is, He has been, and He will be with you -- and everyone else – always, when days are easy and when they’re difficult. Maybe we don’t have enemies like the Israelites did, but we do have troubles; they’re part of life. God doesn’t promise that difficulties won’t happen. What He does promise is to be with us before, during, and after these storms. God promises to stay with us and help us grow toward a place of peace.  

God loved everyone and everything into being. Look around and see that He’s everywhere, loving you and caring for you. He’s in your friend who makes you laugh and eases your pain for a while. He’s in the child who hugs you and makes your heart swell with joy. He’s in your doctor, nurse, and other medical providers who speak kind words to you. He created the sun, and so He’s with you when you rest outside and let His sunshine warm you.

God lives in you so that you can show His love to the people around you, too. The love you share may be the answer to someone’s prayer. He’s in the compassion that moves you to look out for your neighbors before, during, and after a natural disaster. He’s there when you cuddle with a frightened child. He’s with you, listening, when you ask Him to bless or heal your loved ones. He inspires you to help those in need: to bring meals, or babysit, or drive to appointments, or just sit with the person you care about and offer a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on.

Look and see that God is everywhere. See His presence in the beauty of creation, in the people around you, and in the stirrings of your heart. God is with you, always has been with you, and always will be with you.

“Help me recognize Your presence all around me, Lord. Fill me with the desire to draw closer to You.”

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/...

'The Chosen'

 

“I have called you by name.” –Isaiah 43:1

 

We know the names: Jesus. Simon. Matthew. Mary Magdalene. Nicodemus.

We’ve heard the stories: Jesus healing Mary Magdalene of seven demons, changing water into wine at the wedding at Cana, befriending the despised tax collector Matthew, and changing the lives of many others.

We’re so familiar with these stories that they may seem dull; we no longer grasp their loving message. Each incident is given just a few sentences in Scripture, so the characters may seem shallow and the circumstances unimpressive.

‘The Chosen’ changes all of that. ‘The Chosen’ is a powerfully thought-provoking, emotional, and inspiring drama series about the life and ministry of Jesus. American filmmaker Dallas Jenkins has created, directed, and co-written ‘The Chosen’ to bring us deeper into the life of Jesus and the people who interacted with Him. Jenkins gives us the backstories; we see Jesus through the eyes of those who meet Him. We’re introduced to Mary Magdalene as a child; we see Simon frustrated with empty nets; we meet the woman at the well; and others. What were their lives like, and how did encountering Jesus affect them?             

The series stars Jonathan Roumie as Jesus, along with Shahar Isaac, Elizabeth Tabish, Paras Patel, Noah James, Janis Dardaris, Lara Silva, Shaan Sharma, Nick Shakoour, George H. Xanthis, Shayan Sobhian, Erick Avari, Kian Kavousi, Brandon Potter, Kirk B. R. Woller, Giavani Cairo, Jordan Walker Ross, Abe Martell, Joey Vahedi, Yasmine Al-Bustami, Vanessa Benavente, Yoshi Barrigas, Austin Reed Alleman, and Alaa Safi.

Each episode in ‘The Chosen’ is less than 60 minutes in length. They have finished two seasons already; Season 3 will be released soon, with the plan to produce seven in all. The episodes build on each other, so watching them beginning with Season 1, Episode 1 will help you grasp how these improbable companions get along with each other and learn from Jesus what it really means to love their neighbor.

‘The Chosen’ is available free of charge to everyone because it’s financed through crowdfunding: the show is free to watch and viewers are asked (not required) to pay it forward by contributing whatever amount they wish in order to fund future seasons. Contributors may receive perks such as appearing as extras in upcoming episodes.

I highly recommend this incredible series. I can almost guarantee that it will touch your heart and feed your soul. You can either click on this link or download the app:

https://watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen

Our Lord wants you to know that everyone is called to follow Him and let His love bring you His peace. He calls everyone, from all walks of life, all cultures, and no matter what you’ve been through. Whether you’re frantically trying to pay the rent like Simon or you’re in a position of authority like Nicodemus, He’s calling you. He wants to meet you where you are and show you just how much God loves you.

“Lord, move my heart with Your love and Your peace.”

 

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/...

 

 

What We Long For

 

What We Long For

 “He longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any.”

–Luke 15:16

The verse above is found in the story that traditionally has been called The Prodigal Son, The Lost Son, or The Forgiving Father. This parable holds many lessons for us; here’s one to consider:

We’re given details indicating that the father was wealthy. The younger son asked for his share of his inheritance while his father was still alive (see Luke 15:12) and ‘set off to a distant country’ (v. 13). While it was cruel to essentially tell his father he wished his father were dead, his wanting to get away from home isn’t much different from our own desires to move out on our own, travel and explore. He wanted to see what the rest of the world was like and how the people out there lived. Although he had everything he needed, he longed for something different and thought he would find it if he had the freedom to get out.

This verse makes it clear that, after a time, he found himself unhappy, starving, and alone. His new ‘friends’ left him when he ran out of money. Even the detested pigs ate better than he did. He had thought that getting ‘out there’ and away from his father would make him happy, but any happiness he experienced was short-lived.

Sometimes we, too, look outside ourselves for happiness, peace, and love. We mistakenly think that there is such a thing as a ‘perfect’ job, house, or spouse. We think we’ll be happy if only we could find it and may spend a lifetime chasing after it.

Augustine of Hippo once said, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” Nothing on earth can satisfy this longing in our hearts because what we’re longing for is Perfect Love and Perfect Peace – God Himself. Until we meet Him in eternity, we will find only glimpses of this Love and Peace here on earth.

God is love. He lives in you; He’s everywhere you are. Open your eyes to His presence. Allow Him to draw you closer to Himself and to fill your heart with more and more of His love. How? Some people take a moment each morning to write down three things they’re grateful for. Some sit outside or by a window and thank God for showing His love through nature. Some turn to the psalms or other Scripture passages for reminders of His love.

When you feel restless, remember that God created you. He designed you to long for Him -- Perfect Peace and Perfect Love. When you open your heart to His love and see Him all around you, you’ll get a glimpse of the joy and peace that awaits you in eternity.

“Lord, draw me closer to You. My heart will be restless until I rest in You.”

 

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/...

 

 

 

A Farmer's Prayer for Peace

 

 

“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

Does this mean we shouldn’t feel anxious? No! All of our emotions – worry, joy, sadness, and all the rest -- are valid. This reminds us, in every situation, with all your emotions, to make your requests known to God. Ask Him to show you how to handle the given situation in a helpful and healthy way. Thank Him for His love and tell Him what’s on your mind. Ask Him for whatever it is you need. Invite Him to guide your thoughts, words, and deeds to handle whatever is going on. When you do this, you’ll be addressing the issue that’s causing your anxiety or other feelings, and not just stewing over it. This guidance and the actions that follow will bring you God’s peace, which surpasses all understanding.

A Farmer’s Prayer for Peace

The story goes that a pastor visiting a rural area was invited to share in a men’s breakfast with the local farmers. The group had asked an older farmer, wearing his usual bib overalls, to say grace for the morning meal.

“Lord, I hate buttermilk,” the farmer began. The visiting pastor opened one eye and wondered where this was going.

The farmer loudly proclaimed, “Lord, I hate lard.”

Without missing a beat, the farmer continued, “And Lord, you know I don’t much care for raw white flour.” The pastor glanced around the room and saw that he wasn’t the only one beginning to feel uncomfortable.

Then the farmer added, “But Lord, when you mix them all together and bake them, I do love warm fresh biscuits.”

And he continued, “So, Lord, when things come up that we don’t like, when life gets hard, when we don’t understand what you’re saying to us, help us to relax and wait until you are done mixing. It will probably be even better than biscuits. Amen.”

 

“Lord, help me remember that You love me, and You want to bring me closer to You so that I experience Your love. I know You hear my prayers. Let this assurance and confidence give me Your peace.”

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/...

 

The Countryside Sings!

 

 “The valleys are decked with grain. They shout for joy, yes, they sing.” –Psalm 65:13

In these days of late summer, in field after field, sweet corn stands proudly next to the highway as we drive west from Northeast Ohio. Soybeans and other crops expand across the landscape, ready and waiting to be harvested. The fields seem to sing for joy! Roadside stands abound with tomatoes, squash, peppers and other vegetables that were ripening in the sunshine just hours earlier. At least one has a sign that reads, “Free vegetables! Take what you need and pay it forward.” Who knew there could be so many varieties of tomatoes? This is a season for celebrating.     

“God also said: See, I give you every seed-bearing plant on all the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food… God looked at everything He had made, and found it very good.” –Genesis 1:29, 31

We thank God for providing all of this food for us. We’re grateful for it, and for the farmers and gardeners who do the work so that we can enjoy it. Our food nourishes our bodies; it also refreshes our souls and brings joy to our spirits. (Bite into an ear of roasted sweet corn and just try not to smile!) Everything God created, He created out of His love for us. We appreciate and celebrate not only the food, but also how He ordered the world to care for us and all creatures. The old hymn, “I Sing the Mighty Power of God,” written in 1715 by Isaac Waats, expresses this eloquently:

I sing the mighty power of God that made the mountains rise,

That spread the flowing seas abroad and built the lofty skies.

I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day.

The moon shines full at his command, and all the stars obey.

 

I sing the goodness of the Lord that filled the earth with food.

He formed the creatures with his word, and then pronounced them good.

Lord, how your wonders are displayed where’er I turn my eye:

If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky!

 

There’s not a plant or flower below but makes your glories known,

And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from your throne;

While all that borrows life from you is ever in your care,

And everywhere that we can be,

You, God, are present there.

 Look all around you and marvel at the wonders of God’s creation. As you drive through towns large and small, gaze at the countryside bursting in song. Take your time, and stop at farmers’ markets and roadside stands. Join in the celebration of this late summer season and let your heart sing along!

 “Thank You, Lord, for all Your bounteous gifts of the earth!”

 

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2022 Gina Bedell    

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.

Comments are always welcome! Feel free to share it with your friends by clicking on one of the icons below. Thanks!

 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/...

 

Be Kind to Yourself

 

 “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” –Mark 12:31

Everyone who has traveled by air has heard the safety instructions given on the plane before takeoff. These can seem redundant: who doesn’t know how to use a seat belt? Still, the flight attendants are required to instruct us. Some have even resorted to comedy routines to make sure we pay attention.

Notice that, if the oxygen masks drop from the ceiling because of an emergency and we’re traveling with small children or someone else who needs assistance, we’re instructed to put on our own mask first and then help that other person. This ensures that we are getting the air we need so that we can attend to the other.

Wait – isn’t that being selfish? Aren’t we supposed to serve others?

No and yes.

No, it’s not being selfish. If we didn’t take oxygen for ourselves first, we couldn’t help the other. Yes, we’re taught to serve others. In this case, neglecting our own needs could actually hurt someone else.

This principle applies to us in other circumstances, too. An athlete has to take care of herself to perform well at her particular sport. If she doesn’t, the whole team could suffer. Parents have to make sure they take care of themselves not only physically but also emotionally in order to care for their children the best way they know how. They take time to ‘recharge their batteries.’ Caring for themselves strengthens them to care for their children.

Taking care of ourselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually enables us to serve others. What does this look like for you? It might be a treat for you to have quiet time in the house by yourself with a book. Maybe you’re refreshed by visiting friends, or shopping, or painting, or taking a class. Maybe gardening or another activity outdoors relaxes and recharges you. Whatever works for you, make time to take time to be kind to yourself.

Also, pay attention to your inner voice. Remind yourself that you are a beloved and cherished child of God. Speak to yourself the words of love and forgiveness that you long to hear. Remember that being kind to yourself is a way to thank God for the gift of you He created.

‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  Be kind to your neighbor; be kind to yourself.

“Lord, thank You for gifting me with my life. Help me remember to take care of this gift.”

 

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2022 Gina Bedell    

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.

Comments are always welcome! Feel free to share it with your friends by clicking on one of the icons below. Thanks!

 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/...