Virtuous Peace

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.

Colossians 3:12-15

We have spent the last three weeks dissecting these few verses to assist us in leading lives of virtue.  The bottom line is, WHY?  Why should we work hard at examining ourselves against the virtues that Paul shares with us in these verses?  There certainly are a variety of ways to look at this.  Certainly, because God instructs us to be virtuous, which is a great beginning (and end).  Yet, as we look to lead lives that are more patient, more kind, full of forgiveness and love, how does that truly bring value to us here today?

Once again, I reflected on this as I read this verse and fell onto this one common thread, which is how this passage ends - peace.  A peaceful soul, a peaceful mind, a peaceful heart - these were not items I've always had (and many times I still struggle with).  As I look back over my life, there have been many times where I have done all the "Christian" things that I thought I should be doing like becoming a member of the Altar Guild, teaching Sunday School, facilitating and attending Bible Studies - you know - all those "Good God Girl" things.  Somehow, I felt if I did all of those things, that they would "miraculously" bring peace into my life.

All of those acts of Stewardship helped me on many levels.  I grew in my knowledge of God's word.  I shared my love for Jesus with little ones.  I meditated at the altar as I prepared it for Sunday worship.  All of these things brought me different levels of fulfillment.  Yet, there were parts of my life at that time that were tumultuous.  Health issues, relationship issues, work issues, seemed to plague me.   The more I complained, the more I victimized myself, the less patience I had - the less kindness I had and forgiveness?  Why should "I" be the one to forgive!!

Enter the bottom line of "WHY"!  I found, after much personal reflection (and years of gaining wisdom from others), that by focusing on the important virtues Jesus wants us to have, I found the peace I so much looked for.  By having patience, I let go of "my agenda" and let God's agenda take over.  My showing kindness and compassion, my heart filled with "God's Love".  My letting go and forgiving, my soul was restored.  With those virtues a real part of my life, my stewardship grew in significance, and peace abounded.

Is every day a peaceful one?  How I wish, but it isn't.  Yet, I now know the key to that peace - living a virtuous life filled with those items that reflects God to others.  By doing that, my life is filled with peace - the peace that passes all understanding.  It's not easy, and I'm not perfect, but I am so very thankful that my God, the one of my simple faith, loves me all the same and grants me serenity.  May you find virtuous peace!!

"Dearest Jesus, how grateful we are that we have a God who teaches, guides, restores, and loves us - despite our actions.  Help us to live a life filled with the virtues you share with us, that we may gain a life of peace and a simple faith filled with your salvation, hope, grace and mercy.  In your name we pray.  Amen!!

Forgiveness

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.

Colossians 3:12-15

The other day I saw two little kids playing.  One child did something to make the other one a bit angry.  When the first child said, "I'm sorry", the second one said, "I forgive you".  Three little words with such power, I forgive you.  I thought about those three words and how, as we grow up, they seem to be harder to say.  We tend to "forgive and forget" much easier as a child than as an adult.  "I forgive you" may even be harder to say than "I love you".  Why is that?

I really thought about my life and when those three words were very difficult to say.  As with many of you, they are hardest to say when we have been hurt the most.  When someone hurts us to our core, our soul, to be able to forgive them seems so "wrong".  They don't "deserve" forgiveness.  They aren't "entitled" to forgiveness.  When those situations have happened in my life, it feels as if forgiving someone is giving in to their actions.  

This was never more apparent to me than when my first marriage was ending.  I felt as if I were to forgive him, then I accepted how he made me feel and all the emotions that were tearing me apart.  This conflict, to forgive or not to forgive, weighed on me - it sat on my chest like a ton of bricks.  One day, one truly random day, while I was sitting in my backyard, I thought about this.  I turned to my Bible and realized that no matter where I turned, it was there - in black and white.

"Forgive as the Lord forgave you."  Over and over, the Bible was talking to me, telling me, it is okay to forgive.  In fact, God WANTS me to forgive.  Forgiveness isn't acceptance of actions.  Forgiveness is cleansing of actions.  Cleansing on my part - cleansing of the bricks on my chest, cleansing of my emotions, cleansing of my soul.  I prayed and prayed that day, thanking God that He brought peace to my life.  Goodness knows I'm not saying I totally forget, but forgiveness brings peace.

Think for a moment on all that YOU have done, all that I have done.  I can't imagine myself "deserving" forgiveness in God's eyes.  Yet, that doesn't stop him from forgiving you and me, from loving you and me, from holding a space for you and me in his eternal home.  "Forgive as the Lord forgave you."  Powerful words to help us move forward from difficult times.  Let us be like a child, willing to say, "I forgive you", and truly meaning it - may it flow from our lips with a sense of peace in our soul.

Dearest Jesus, how blessed I am that you took all my dirt, all my sin, to the cross with you.  You let the words, "I forgive you", roll sweetly from your lips.  Please give me the strength, the compassion and the love to say those same words to others.  Cleanse my soul from a lack of forgiveness and let peace rain over me.  In you forgiving name I pray, Amen!

Kindness & Compassion

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.

Colossians 3:12-15

When I look past my "inner circle" of family and friends and focus on the state, nation and world at large, I can easily get discouraged.  It seems as if we have moved to a world of judgement and negativity.  My heart aches when I hear people speak on the news or even on social media.

Entering, with even greater importance, are the virtues of this week - compassion and kindness.  Whether I look at the world or even break it down to our own community, those two words seem to be missing.  People may say (or even "I" may say), "I'm a kind person - I have compassion on others."  I believe that.  I believe that people don't purposely move through this world to be unkind to others.  Yet, through experiences of our own or through others, we may have an "unconscious bias".  I heard this term during the week and it made me think.

It is easy to be kind and compassionate to those that are like us, that have the same thoughts, the same beliefs, the same interests.  Where it becomes difficult is to provide that same level of kindness and compassion to those that may differ from us.  It may not be that we eagerly pursue to be unkind, but our words or actions could result in a poor tone, a harsh word, or a negative action.  We may be unconsciously doing these things, moving away from kindness.

In walks the example of Jesus.  Jesus moved through His time on earth based on truth - the truth that everyone deserved forgiveness, that everyone had a place in this world and that everyone can follow Him to the heavenly home through belief.  By living through that truth, He provides us with a wonderful mentor and leader of kindness and compassion.  He didn't walk away from the sick.  He didn't walk away from the non-believers.  He didn't walk away from the desolate.  He walked towards them!  By walking towards those that were different, He brought the truth of God and salvation.  Such a powerful example for us to model our lives.

Given this example, where does our behavior fit in?  By extending kindness and compassion.  Yes, extend it to those we know and love.  Yet, also extend it to those we don't know.  The person who has their hands filled with groceries and could use some help.  The person who needs our prayers for healing.  The person who needs a kind word, a hug, a warm cup of coffee or a friend.  Many times, this means slowing our selves down in order to reach out to others.  We may not be able to fix all that seems to be going on in the world.  Starting with our own corner of it, though, will always make an impact.  We never know how Jesus will use our positive virtues to change those around us!!

Dearest Jesus, we thank you for being the one true example of kindness and compassion.  Open our eyes to see those around us.  May we find moments to share these virtues and bring the world the light of your love.  In your forever kind name we pray, Amen!

Virtues - Patience

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.

Colossians 3:12-15

Welcome to 2019!  Hard to believe another year has passed by so quickly.  During 2019, I am going to try something new (we will see how long I can sustain this!).  I thought I would focus on a different word of faith each month, selecting a Bible passage that we can explore together.  For January, I have chosen virtue and have selected the passage above.  This was the focus of our sermon last week, and really tugged at the hearts of my daughter and me.

The underlined word, patience, is a virtue I typically need to work on often.  I may start the year off in a good way, but by the end of the year, my patience for people and situations seems to waiver.  My tolerance becomes less and my tone becomes short.  I typically know this about myself and try to take more time off during the end of 2018, understanding it is my time to "recharge".

Yet, wouldn't it be more prudent of me to find a way to gain more patience and not "get to the end of my rope"?  When I reflect on my gap in this area, it follows many scenarios:

• Long days at work when all my patience is used there and little is left for home
• Projects that don't have the same timeline as I have
• Issues that I would like to solve quickly, but may take more time
• Biting my tongue or holding in my feelings, only to burst when I can no longer do both

In walks the grace of Jesus.  If anyone knows I have this gap, it is certainly my loving Savior.  For my true benefit, he sees my gap.  Upon my time of repentance, He acknowledges this and forgives me.  Yes, right above in our Bible passage it saves, "...the Lord forgave you."  When my patience runs thin, I go to my Lord.  I ask Him for the strength to hold my tongue from biting words.  I ask Him for the truth to see my errors and to ask others for forgiveness.  I ask Him to continue to love me.  

Jesus does all of that for me - He gives me strength, He gives me truth, He forgives me - and HE LOVES ME.  When the virtues I should have in Christ are not met by my own humanness, the Lord steps in, and loves me!!  What a gracious and wonderful gift He provides.  The next time our patience runs thin, let's ask Jesus for His help, His guidance and His love - it will bring peace to our hearts.

Dearest Jesus, how very grateful I am that you step in on my weaknesses.  Thank you for loving me even when I can't stand up to the standards that have been set for me.  I appreciate you for always loving me, through all of my gaps.  Please continue to grant me forgiveness and provide me a path for growth.  In your loving arms I rest, Amen!