| For many, their greatest motivation in life is to avoid conflict and experience some type of inner peace, yet the road to peace is filled with conflict, disharmony, and even pain. One cannot find peace by avoiding life. Therefore, many oscillate between two sides of a dichotomy: playing the peacemaker (avoidance) or playing the perfectionist (control). As the peacemaker, one loses their voice and acquiesces to whatever the situation is at the present time. As the perfectionist, one overly criticizes, judges, and micromanages. Both approaches carry a heavy dose of anger if things aren’t controllable. The rub is that life isn’t controllable, and when one’s focus is on the external, other people, normally it ends poorly. Therefore, the hard but fruitful work is an inward journey where the work of the Holy Spirit is most efficacious. If you are reading this devotional and things seem chaotic, don’t focus on all that is going on around you. Focus on your own heart, your own motivations, your own desires. Ask God to form a heart anchored in his grace, covered in his mercy, and formed by the heart of Christ. Seek a place where one is content, fulfilled, on the inside even if nothing around you changes. Be filled with the joy of salvation and the hope that God is redeeming all things. Trust that you rest in God’s hand even if tumultuous waves crash around. Listen for the voice of God that says, “one can’t find peace by avoiding life but I can give you peace in the midst of life.”  This Week’s Readings: * Monday – Acts 22 * Tuesday – Acts 23 * Wednesday- Acts 24 * Thursday – Acts 25 * Friday- Acts 26 Prayer Requests: * Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC. * Strengthen our Country and Leaders, here and abroad. * Heal those who are sick and protect those who are not. * Comfort those who are grieving and in distress. * Give our leaders extra wisdom as they navigate this pandemic and economic uncertainty. * Help those seeking to find their way. |
| “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6 |