Are we ultimately responsible for the outcome?
Well, the Bible does say that we will reap what we sow. How do you desire to keep your body healthy and full of life, laughter and joy? The remarkable things I have witnessed in my lifetime have revealed that we, as a society, often resort to unhealthy ways; to celebrate, commemorate, and to escape reality. Ultimately, we will reap what we sow. These choices will come back to us and disrupt our lives, robbing our peace. However, with the start of each new day, new hour, new minute, we are given opportunities to correct the error of our ways. Forgiveness is granted if we seek it, which restores a sense of peace.
As parents, we are gifted with new life. This can be true with the addition of a child or an animal. Each day is an opportunity to bestow love on this new life. We are required to meet the needs of this little one. However, needs are far different from giving this new creature everything he or she wants. Parameters and guidelines must be taught. We must instill a desire for this new life to learn to grow and take over responsibility to meet his or her own basic needs. If a young life has learned their expectations from a young age, these small tasks will not require too much peace to be disrupted. If these expectations are not taught and reinforced, messes of all proportions will leave a trail for others to pick up the pieces or require assistance to help this loved one get back on his or her feet. Inviting a new opportunity to get this individual back on track, and help restore peace.
Some children learn out of necessity to survive from a young age, due to absent parents. Oftentimes, these individuals who succeed are ultimate survivors. Not to say they won't need support or guidance along the way. Many of these success stories we hear from individuals who have experienced abuse or neglect from a young age incorporates someone who took the time and invested in this individual. A mentor stepped into the role to help this individual to re-establish love of self, security, and peace. Sometimes, just knowing we are not alone and loved can restore and rejuvenate an individual. The trick is to keep on believing. Hope and belief can change lives for the better.
The same way a parent teaches responsibilities and guides their children, God teaches and guides our lives along our journey. He loves us completely. Thankfully, God knows that we are all sinners. We will require repeated attempts to learn and put into practice a lesson that He longs for us to take hold of to bless our lives.
The ultimate gift in this lifetime comes when we are totally at peace within ourselves and with others. Actions must be taken on our part to receive peace. Peace entered this world, so that all would be able to receive- His peace. Christ is our stronghold of peace. God longs for us to seek and grant us peace in our lives through our acceptance of Christ as our Savior.
When we release control and learn to trust in Christ, peace will fill our minds, bodies, and soul. Life will change forever. Take that first step and open God's word found within the Bible. If you are not seasoned, a deep dive into the historical times of when Christ walked the earth, will allow you to relate and conceptualize the recordings in the Bible. This will allow God's words to come to life. This will also allow you to understand and learn fully what is available to each and everyone of us. Peace will be revealed if you are willing to do the work. You also must be willing to receive His gifts, by welcoming Christ into your heart. The blessings that come from this devotion are endless.
"For He Himself is our peace,
who has made both one,
and has broken down the middle wall of separation
having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is,
the law of commandments contained in ordinances,
so as to create in Himself one new man from the two thus making peace,
and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross,
thereby putting to death the enmity.
And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near."
-Ephesians 2: 13- 17
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