Follow After Peace And Edify Each Other

Do you ever have times when you just want peace and quiet and an opportunity to lift others up?

As a beautiful fall day ended on our quiet property, I thought long and hard about the noise and chaos that is happening elsewhere. 

The world is filled with pain and suffering and so much worry. There is fear and evil and many things to be concerned about. If you've experienced hard times and days full of trouble, it's guaranteed that everyone else you meet every day has (or is) too. 

Jesus didn't promise a life without trouble for those who would follow Him, but He did promise salvation, eternity with Him, and peace and support while we're here on earth.

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. Romans 14:19

When we're given the peace of God which passes all understanding, we're given the tools we need to edify each other. His peace calms us down and lifts us up at the same time - what an interesting juxtaposition! And His peace eventually overflows our hearts and gives us an abundance to share with everyone around us.

Did you know you have the power and influence to share peace and lift others up?

You may not feel very powerful or influential today, but Paul wrote in his letter to the church at Rome that they were to follow after the things which make for peace. That's a very personal, very solitary thing when we make the choice to do whatever it takes to have a peaceful life for ourselves. But the second part of that verse turns it outward. Things that edify and lift one another up. That leave a conversation and interaction with peace and love and hope.

This is our calling as Christians. We're to fill our own hearts with peace so that we overflow into others. 

As we turn from Thanksgiving to the Christmas season, my prayer is that the peace of God in our hearts will turn into edifying everyone we come into contact with.

Let's use our influence in the name of Jesus Christ for His honor and glory.

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