Dear Quilt,
This
morning, I was reading in Matthew where Jesus was sending the disciples out on
their mission and I read a line that I hadn’t really noticed before… “If the
home (you have entered) is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not,
let your peace return to you.” (Matthew 10:13)
What a
beautiful (and wise!) lesson. Jesus knew
his followers were carrying an unfamiliar message to the world. Opposition,
confusion, pride, fear, and misunderstanding were sure to be reactions the
disciples would face but so would apathy, distraction, and selfishness as well
as the arrogant assumption that the historical “way” is the only way. As Jesus
prepared the disciples, he warned them of obstacles they would face and he assured
them that their needs would be met by God through people on the way.
This morning the peace verse seemed
out of place. It stood out to me. A few verses later is the familiar “shake off
the dust” instruction which has always seemed kind of harsh to me. (Grin!) But
as I prayerfully considered what “let your peace return to you” could mean,
this is what I came up with…
In our
new home, I have been struggling with making friends. Maybe you just spoiled me since you are the
best friend ever! Anyway, Husband and I have started having visitors and
receiving invitations. As we visit in
someone’s home we share our peace there-
If there is
conflict, peace can heal.
If there is fear,
peace can deliver.
If there is need,
peace can provide.
But if
the message of peace can’t or won’t be received… WE still leave with it!
It is
our job, as followers of Jesus, to carry the message of peace wherever we go,
but we have no control over how the message is received. We do have control
over the peace though! Have I practiced managing the gift of peace enough that
I can leave a negative situation with peace still in my heart and mind?
In My Utmost for His Highest today,
Oswald Chambers makes a bold statement: “The workshop of missionary munitions
is the hidden, personal, worshipping life of the saint.” So that is my
challenge right now. I desire to be so trusting of my Lord that no matter what
happens, I know He will provide for me. I want to know with settled certainty
that God loves my loved ones even more than me and He will not give up seeking
their wayward hearts and minds. I want to reflexively rely on the Holy Spirit
to put the perfect words and images in my head exactly when needed for clear
communication. But most of all, I want to be so conscious of the Presence of
God in my life that nothing else matters.
And I
think this is going to take practice! (Bigger Grin!)
Hope
your day is so full of peace you can’t help but rejoice! I love you, Quilt!
-Sunshine
