Tag: Peace

I got up this morning. Poured my coffee . . . read my bible . . . prayed . . .waited on my husband to bring me a taco . . . can I get an “Amen!”?

And I was going to write a very inspiring . . . or not . . . probably not . . . but most certainly, scripturally sound post . . .

Maybe about how we, as Christians, measure different sins differently. Yet, in God’s eyes sin is sin. And we need to take a good, long look at ourselves before pointing fingers.

Maybe about how we should stop being led by what we want to be right and our opinions, following after every crazy whim that comes along, and actually take the time to seek God and do some research before buying into something.

Maybe about how we aren’t promised an easy, perfect life.

Yep, I was in some kind of mood about all the things. And I was going to set the record straight. I was going to use God’s word to make sure everyone, myself included, knew all the ways we need to do better.

I mean I had scriptures to back these things up, and I was ready to swing that big sword.

But then, instead, I googled “Photos of (fill in the blank with all the beautiful places on this planet), and I started clicking through hundreds of breathtaking photos. Some of places I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. Some of places I want to visit. Most with mountains . . . because I’ve yet to meet a mountain range I didn’t love . . . large or small, arid or lush, they’re all majestic to me. And while you might think looking at these photos would bring a huge sense of longing when we cannot really go anywhere (thanks COVID), I found it instead brought me a sense of peace. I believe that sometimes God corrects and disciplines us directly, but other times He just gives us a little nudge, through the Holy Spirit, and tells us to google His beautiful creation. Because seeing these pictures served as a huge reminder to me that it’s not my job to fix the world. It’s not even my job to fix those in my immediate circle. I cannot (and most certainly, should not) be in control of everything and everyone, but I know the ONE who is. And believe me, He knows what’s going on.

You see, we’re all sick of it all.

We’re sick of the pandemic.

We’re sick of the politics.

We’re sick of making choices that don’t seem to have a right answer.

We’re sick of the ugly, the pain, and the hurt.

We. Are. All. Over. It. Thank you 2020 for being the year we’ll never forget and don’t want to remember, but also, 2020 has taught me some stuff so there’s that.

And because we are all summarily fed up, we grasp at any thing that promises relief. What that “thing” will be often depends on our own personalities and bents. For some, if staying home longer and wearing masks promises relief . . . we’re there. For others, if opening up the economy and letting this thing run its course promises relief . . . we’re there. For others it may be a drug or a, seemingly, off the wall solution. But we’re all trying. We’re all grasping. And we all want school to start again. Please . . .

In the process . . . in the pursuit of relief and the need to be right and in control . . . because humans do not like being out of control . . . can I get another “Amen!”? We often fail to be kind. We often fail to be gracious. We just often fail.

So I’m here to tell you to turn off the news . . . and facebook (for the love . . . just close the app) . . . and YouTube . . . and go look at pictures of mountains . . . or beautiful beaches and deep blue oceans . . . or vast deserts. Go outside and look at the sky. Take in the deep colors of a sunrise and a sky painted with stars. And remember that the God that created all of that beauty, knows. He knows you. He knows me. He cares about all of us. Deeply. Far more than anything He created, He cares about humankind. And He most definitely is in control.

We’re not going to all agree. Ever. And that’s okay. If you know me, you know I’ve been known to utter the words “Jesus take the wheel” from time to time (thank you Carrie Underwood for the song that brought the words). And I know that it can sound like a joke, and there are those that probably think it’s irreverent, but the reality is, it’s my four word prayer wrapped in a little bit of humor which I’m sure Jesus understands. It’s my admission that even though I’m the world’s best control freak, I want to stop driving my own car. Because y’all, I’m just not that good of a driver.

I like, dare I say “love”, being right. But when it comes at the expense of loving others, it’s just not worth it. It matters far more that we extend grace and love, not only to one another but also, to a world that is lost and searching. And ultimately, that we love and trust the ONE who created this beautiful world from the grandest mountains to the smallest flower. Because He’s not just a god of details, He is the God of details, and He most definitely has us.

“He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.” Psalm 147:4

“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?” Luke 12:27-28 (And definitely take a minute to read this whole passage. It’s very worth 30 seconds of your time.)

Copyright 2020, Courtney G Davis, All Rights Reserved 

The writings and images contained within this site are the intellectual property of this writer unless otherwise noted, and may not be copied or used without express permission of the author.