Transcending Twenty/Twenty
Photo : Michelle Schwab
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
For me, this transcending peace has a new sweetness and experiential awe after being surrounded by the layers of chaos and confusion this year. Relying on scripture as the only source of truth is like standing on still and solid ground during an earthquake. It doesn’t matter what collapses around you. You will not be shaken. My heart and mind have absolutely been guarded by Christ Jesus.
Vision was the obvious theme going into 2020 and for some, it really was a year of clarity and focus. For others, it’s like they drove purposely into thick fog with zero visibility. Events of this year, in my opinion, exposed so much as well as deceived so many.
The neon line between loyal and lukewarm has become blindingly bright.
Many things come to mind that made me feel temporarily bewildered this year but possibly the most potent is the amount of proclaiming Christians co-signing for the mass murder of babies. (If you happen to be reading this and are not a follower of Christ, I understand that your opinion of what life is & when it starts may differ, I don’t expect you to agree with God if you don’t even believe in him.) But! bros & sisters in Christ, there is no grey area in scripture for the murder of babies in the womb. It is crystal clear. It is evil.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13
This dim place is getting drastically darker by the day. A new year won’t change that but Jesus will— and one day, for good. God does not promise worldly prosperity but His Spirit empowers surpassing peace and he does promise a perfect salvation and eternal life through faith in Christ who can rescue from the deepest ditch of darkness.
“being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:11-14
Ultimately the sense of urgency for the Gospel of Christ to pierce the culture AND cleanse the church has been made evident in God’s word and by his Spirit to those who have ears to hear. This has always been the focus, the vision, the most precious mission of a disciple of Jesus.
I did nothing to deserve His love but I will serve this Love forever.