Tonight I was thinking on the subject of peace.
The first time I was facing the possibility of cancer was several years ago when the Dr. thought I might have breast cancer. (I didn't.) I confess to you that while I waited for results of tests, I literally lived frozen in fear, unable to do much more than wait, sitting on my couch day after day jumping every time the phone rang, waiting for the call. Fast forward to July 2014: while I waited on results of tesst to see if I had thyroid cancer (I did.) - I suspected the results would be positive and yet I was still able to function. Why? Because I thought that I had heard the Holy Spirit tell me, "cancer will not kill you." Really? That is supposed to be a comfort? But, surprisingly, it was. Did you know that one of the names for Holy Spirit is The Spirit of Truth? (see John 16:13) He is nothing if not truthful! Baby step by baby step I'm learning to truly trust.
Scripture tells us in Galatians 5:22 that the Holy Spirit produces the fruit of peace in our lives. But what does that really look like? Peace should not be determined by our circumstances. I can have bad health, live in poverty, have broken relationships, or even live in times of war and still have peace. Peace really is not an emotion either. I can be sad and still have peace! Even though I DEEPLY desire joy, health, a peaceful atmosphere and comfortable surroundings, I need to quit looking at my surroundings and look to God because true peace is allowing Holy Spirit to reign in my heart. It is knowing Him intimately and trusting Him no matter what the circumstances are. My peace is anchored in God.
A book I've been reading, The Holy Spirit, An Introduction points out that Colossians 3:15 tells us to let the peace which comes from Christ rule in our hearts. The amplified version actually says "And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts". So I looked it up on a nifty app on my phone (Blue Letter Bible). And the word "rule" in Greek is βραβεύω (brabeuō) and can actually mean to be an umpire. The author said to imagine being in a baseball game and behind you squats the Umpire of Peace (Holy Spirit) and each ball the pitcher throws at you is a decision that needs to be made. Then he asked "How important are the Umpire's calls?" (hint: they're pretty important....)
Now I know absolutely nothing about the game of baseball so I was asking my husband about it and said "you'd think that the comparison would be to the coach instead because the coach tells you what to do before the ball is ever thrown." But Mark reminded me that the coach is just guessing at what will happen as he's giving instructions. The Umpire is actually IN THE GAME and the one in charge. He is making calls as the ball is being thrown. So taking the baseball comparison a step further, in a game it is the umpire's full decision on a call and if I argue with him I can be kicked out of the game. Without an umpire, the game could become total chaos. So I must fully rely on the Holy Spirit to guide my decisions, step by step, as the ball is coming toward me. I must trust Him and obey Him in my circumstances, without argument, to be able to remain mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually calm and peaceful in the midst of this "game" called life. I don't know about you, but I'm thankful that God the Holy Spirit is in the game with me bringing peace.
I have to admit I never dreamed I'd blog about baseball!
Peace be with you.
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