Meadow of Peace
Having experienced many years when there was everything but peace in my life, I must share where I am at in this season. It seemed like when a friend would ask how I was doing, there was usually something taking place that caused great anxiety or even fear at times. I am grateful to those who walked alongside me through those seasons. Especially God, who carried me when I often did not even consider Him.
The past two years has brought tremendous spiritual growth. On three recent re-connections with friends, I was asked how I am doing. My response to them was that I am walking through a peaceful season. Life is very full and blessed. Everything is in its place. No turmoil. While sharing with one of the friends, I reflected on a poem I wrote that mentions a Meadow of Peace. In writing the poem, I longed to find that peaceful meadow....
A run through Hell on deadly curves ~ Afraid of what could be ~
Miles of twisted roads run on inside of me ~
Riding out Hell's Dark Canyon ~ Roads have been so rough ~
Climbing the highest mountain ~ One ride that's made me tough ~
Darkness appears as clouds ~ Loneliness and despair ~
Blinded by hopelessness and fear which lead me there ~
Drowning storms reaching and tearing at my soul ~
Unable to see the light above ~ At times so bitter cold ~
Waiting for the landslide around the curve ahead ~
Hopeful for the Meadow of Peace appearing there instead ~
Deepest valleys with gouging pain ~ Strength only for today ~
Costly tolls for bridges burned ~ Each day a price to pay
Bound with no escape riding circles around this place ~
Studying the pools of water ~ The reflection is not my face ~
The lair of scars runs deep within forming tales I'll one day tell ~
Memories of painful battles along the roads through Hell ~
Thankful to the Angels of Mercy while broke down on the road ~
Don't feel so lost ~ I know now I do not ride alone ~
Twists and turns won't seem so deadly ~ Just a better ride ~
Fear, despair, and anger now released from inside ~
More winds to ride before I rest ~ My Angel guides me now ~
Ridin on, Free from fear ~ I'll make it, I won't go down ~
Ridin higher ~ Lookin ahead to the summit around the bend ~
Losing sight ~ Not believing ~ Won't ride through there again ~
Smoother roads are calling beyond the Summit of Despair ~
Thundering winds calmed to a whisper ~
Faith will get me there ~
For most of us, it is easiest to find peace when everything around us is just as it 'should be'. Your measure of that likely differs from mine. When we say 'life is good', we usually are at peace.
What about when life is not so good? Peace disappears. Stress, worry, doubt, and fear invade our mind and our heart.
This time last year I was walking through a pretty tumultuous season. It amazed me how much peace I had through it all. I could not stop thanking God for His peace. Everyone who knew me through that time was witness to it as my faith shined.
God's Word was all consuming. Worship and praise filled the hours of my day. Even in spite of losing my job, my home, and bouncing around from friend's house to friend's house with my daughter, I had Peace. I knew the Lord had gone ahead of me to take care of everything. I was just waiting for Him to reveal His plan.
BELIEVING and TRUSTING God's promises made His promises come alive.
As I wrote earlier about waiting for a landslide around the curve ahead but hopeful for the Meadow of Peace appearing there instead, I clearly did not trust God then. Without trust in God, there is no peace. But I hoped for peace. I wanted Peace but I expected to simply enter a peaceful place. I wanted everything and everyone to be in harmony with ME and MY needs, wants, and desires. Me, me, me...
It was not until Jesus became the foundation upon which all else was built that I discovered we do not enter a place of Peace. It is Peace himself who is IN us; the Meadow of Peace is where Jesus dwells in me.
We also know that a meadow normally is nestled in a valley or at the base of a mountain. The next mountain will be more difficult than the mountains I've climbed before. God is preparing me for it in this moment. This I know...I will have Perfect Peace.
It is too easy to be at peace when everything and everyone is in alignment with our agenda. Perfect Peace comes when we believe God's promises and trust in Him through the tumultuous seasons. It is a divine gift.
The past two years has brought tremendous spiritual growth. On three recent re-connections with friends, I was asked how I am doing. My response to them was that I am walking through a peaceful season. Life is very full and blessed. Everything is in its place. No turmoil. While sharing with one of the friends, I reflected on a poem I wrote that mentions a Meadow of Peace. In writing the poem, I longed to find that peaceful meadow....
A run through Hell on deadly curves ~ Afraid of what could be ~
Miles of twisted roads run on inside of me ~
Riding out Hell's Dark Canyon ~ Roads have been so rough ~
Climbing the highest mountain ~ One ride that's made me tough ~
Darkness appears as clouds ~ Loneliness and despair ~
Blinded by hopelessness and fear which lead me there ~
Drowning storms reaching and tearing at my soul ~
Unable to see the light above ~ At times so bitter cold ~
Waiting for the landslide around the curve ahead ~
Hopeful for the Meadow of Peace appearing there instead ~
Deepest valleys with gouging pain ~ Strength only for today ~
Costly tolls for bridges burned ~ Each day a price to pay
Bound with no escape riding circles around this place ~
Studying the pools of water ~ The reflection is not my face ~
The lair of scars runs deep within forming tales I'll one day tell ~
Memories of painful battles along the roads through Hell ~
Thankful to the Angels of Mercy while broke down on the road ~
Don't feel so lost ~ I know now I do not ride alone ~
Twists and turns won't seem so deadly ~ Just a better ride ~
Fear, despair, and anger now released from inside ~
More winds to ride before I rest ~ My Angel guides me now ~
Ridin on, Free from fear ~ I'll make it, I won't go down ~
Ridin higher ~ Lookin ahead to the summit around the bend ~
Losing sight ~ Not believing ~ Won't ride through there again ~
Smoother roads are calling beyond the Summit of Despair ~
Thundering winds calmed to a whisper ~
Faith will get me there ~
For most of us, it is easiest to find peace when everything around us is just as it 'should be'. Your measure of that likely differs from mine. When we say 'life is good', we usually are at peace.
What about when life is not so good? Peace disappears. Stress, worry, doubt, and fear invade our mind and our heart.
This time last year I was walking through a pretty tumultuous season. It amazed me how much peace I had through it all. I could not stop thanking God for His peace. Everyone who knew me through that time was witness to it as my faith shined.
God's Word was all consuming. Worship and praise filled the hours of my day. Even in spite of losing my job, my home, and bouncing around from friend's house to friend's house with my daughter, I had Peace. I knew the Lord had gone ahead of me to take care of everything. I was just waiting for Him to reveal His plan.
BELIEVING and TRUSTING God's promises made His promises come alive.
As I wrote earlier about waiting for a landslide around the curve ahead but hopeful for the Meadow of Peace appearing there instead, I clearly did not trust God then. Without trust in God, there is no peace. But I hoped for peace. I wanted Peace but I expected to simply enter a peaceful place. I wanted everything and everyone to be in harmony with ME and MY needs, wants, and desires. Me, me, me...
It was not until Jesus became the foundation upon which all else was built that I discovered we do not enter a place of Peace. It is Peace himself who is IN us; the Meadow of Peace is where Jesus dwells in me.
We also know that a meadow normally is nestled in a valley or at the base of a mountain. The next mountain will be more difficult than the mountains I've climbed before. God is preparing me for it in this moment. This I know...I will have Perfect Peace.
It is too easy to be at peace when everything and everyone is in alignment with our agenda. Perfect Peace comes when we believe God's promises and trust in Him through the tumultuous seasons. It is a divine gift.
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May the words shared here bless you in some way and inspire you to draw closer to God. Your input is welcomed and appreciated, my friend!