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com/2013/05/12/through-a-glass-darkly

Through a glass darkly

Grace. Beauty. Truth. Love. Add in patience, forgiveness, integrity, caring, rest. For the purpose of healing self and others. Are there any better guiding principles to help us keep focused, especially in challenging circumstances as we persevere through barriers? If 'Where's peace?' is the question, perhaps refocusing on these qualities, and on our one true foundation, really is the answer.

Consider:
Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus said: Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirableif anything is excellent or praiseworthythink about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. so writes the apostle Paul, words of encouragement to the people in Macedonia, even as he was in a Roman prison for his evangelism. Its his reminder that even in the most trying of

circumstances, real joy lies in the quiet, confident assurance of Gods love and work in our lives. Circumstances that shake our trust in our own little world provide potent reminders that happiness is elusive. Things happen. People change. Events occur that are out of our control; what we once thought of as a sure foundation instead reveals fissures and pores that could weaken and crumble. But if we were to get over ourselves and instead refocus on the one true foundation that based on our Creators love for us - we can pick up the pieces and pull through to rediscover true Joy. Sound too easy? Perhaps. But through prayer, through praise through determination to eliminate destructive influences, and instead keep focused on all that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy. If it could work for Paul as he wrote these words from a prison, surely it would be worth a shot. If, even in dire circumstances, we could let our gentleness be evident to all for the promise that the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus, then surely it would be worth risking. May the God of peace be with you.

Crazy Enough, by MercyMe (full lyrics)

Call me crazy but what if we learn to love our brother for nothing in return? Oh how the rules would change! Reaching out to the ones who need help;, Treating them as you first would treat yourself. Now that would be insane. Is it so strange to think that one day we will truly see everyone the same Oh could we be so kind? To sing along when life's playing their tune And cry with them when their hearts broken in two. Have I lost my mind? It may just be crazy enough to work if we could only love. What if we somehow changed the world? It may just be crazy enough. Oh, have I gone mad believing that love still has a chance?

All of Creation, by MercyMe (full lyrics)

All of creation sing with me now lift up your voice and lay your burden down. All of creation sing with me now fill up the heavens let his glory resound!