Shalom

We all want peace in our lives. Recently, I have been feeling a lot of internal unrest - definitely not peace. This weekend's service was definitely one I needed to hear.

Currently, some of my relationships are messy. Some of my friends are mad at me to the point where I could be on the verge of losing those friendships. I have felt extremely guilty about some of my decisions - but I notice that I am trying to make everyone else happy. That is just part of my personality. But in my quest to please everyone else, am I losing sight of my own happiness?

I think that is something I need to be conscious of. But I also think that I am following the path God has put me on. He is guiding me toward peace - the Shalom peace - and I need to trust in that.

The path of peace goes through problems. Check. I don't know a single person who doesn't go through problems. Luckily, my problems aren't nearly as bad as some others. I need to step back and remember that more often. The bigger thing that I need to take away is that the path of peace is through obedience. If I obey God, I will find peace. One way it was put this weekend was - While it is difficult, if I didn't make this choice, then I would be disobedient.

"If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." - John 14:15-17

As disciples, we are different. We often won't be accepted by the world - and it may make our relationships a little murky. But if we stay on our path, we will find the peace of knowing we are flourishing because we are being obedient to God. The rest will work out somehow.