P.E.A.C.E: Energy

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”  

Isaiah 52:7

Today we complete our acrostic. To Presence, Encouragement, Abundance, and Comfort we add Energy. Hmmm! Thought you were in for a restful conclusion, didn’t you? I’d like to explore the thesis that you can’t possibly be at peace if you’re not doing what you’re supposed to be doing. Of necessity then, peace demands the energy to do what God has designed you to do.

First, do you know what your purpose in life is? Romans 8:28-29 clearly tells me that I have been called according to (God’s) purpose—to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. I need to look like Jesus.

To look like Jesus, I need to act like Him too. Over the years I have about boiled it down to these simple 1, 2, 3s:

1.      Love God. (Matthew 22:37)

2.      Love others. (Matthew 22:39)

3.      So they will get to see Jesus. (John 13:34-35)

The interesting part is that I am unique. So are you. Each of us was created in Christ Jesus as a work of art—the broader meaning of God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10).  As God’s masterpiece then, I need to be “His faithful witness at my highest level of influence”, as Dr. James Denison terms it. Who are the people who follow your example, who listen to you? It can be as close as your family, friends, and colleagues. It can take you to the ends of the earth. It requires nothing more than the consistency of salt and light living (Matthew 5:13-16).

Consider it a Mustard Seed Movement. Of necessity it starts small; but the more of us being nourished in God’s soil, the more and greater the trees that will grow, the more seeds will be scattered so all will see Jesus. Do you have such a Kingdom vision (Matthew 13:31-32)?    

Whew, sounds as if I’m going to need a lot of energy to do the work I’m created to do. Check this out. We are privy to: his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 1:19-20). Dynamite!

Are you at peace? Then you’re the ones with the beautiful feet. We know you by the salt you sprinkle, the light you shed, and the glory God gets instead of you (Matthew 5:13-16).

Nancy P