As I sat and listened to General Conference just a few weeks ago, I felt inspired to re-read the talks, one each week, and share some of my thoughts, quotes, and invitations here on my blog.
I thought about making my own reading schedule, but I was planning to join the Work and Wonder community in their study. So, I will be following their study schedule (for the most part) which you can see here if you want to study with me/us.
These posts will be slightly different than what I generally share, but I feel the need to talk more about Jesus here online, because He is such a large part of my life, that I can’t separate Him from who I am. Each Monday I’ll be sharing some spiritual thoughts.
Peace, Be Still by Lisa L. Harkness
How many times this year have you cried out to God, wondering where He is? Wondering why there is so much chaos and seemingly little peace? I don’t have the number for the times I’ve cried out to Him.
There have been so many moments, this year especially, that I felt as if I were drowning. As if I were about to sink and didn’t know how to keep my head above water. Moments when I forgot that there is a Savior who is the Master of Peace, and that He is ready to say “Peace, be still.”
There is a mortal tendency, even a temptation, when we find ourselves in the middle of trials, troubles, or afflictions to cry out, “Master, carest thou not that I perish? Save me.”…
Certainly, the Savior of the world understands our mortal limitations, for He teaches us how to feel peace and calm even when the winds blow fiercely around us and billowing waves threaten to sink our hopes.
There’s a song, that you can listen to hear, that says “when there’s no peace on earth there is peace in Christ.” I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. 2020 has been… well, you know what it’s been like and with the election coming up, I feel like there has been a lot less peace than there has been.
So how can we find that peace? How can I feel calm? How can you feel the calm you so desperately want?
Regardless of our circumstances, we can intentionally make efforts to build and increase our faith in Jesus Christ. It is strengthened when we remember that we are children of God and that He loves us. Our faith grows as we experiment on the word of God with hope and diligence, trying our very best to follow Christ’s teachings. Our faith increases as we choose to believe rather than doubt, forgive rather than judge, repent rather than rebel. Our faith is refined as we patiently rely on the merits and mercy and grace of the Holy Messiah
It is our faith that will bring more peace into our lives. Because as we bring Christ into our lives more, there will naturally be more peace. Lately, in times of chaos, darkness, and anxiety, I have said the word “Christ” out loud. He is the Prince of Peace. He is the light of the world. Saying His name brings calm and light and power, even if it’s for a brief moment. Saying His name always makes me feel better.
This week my challenge for you and for myself is to take more moments of stillness to really feel Him and think about Him. I set an alarm on my phone calendar that says “be still and know” several times throughout the day, and my hope is that when that reminder pops up, I can pause what I’m doing and think of Him.
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