In Search of Peace

~ @barefacedgirl

by Sandra Allen Lovelace

My days were busier than they’d ever been. There was no way I could keep up. Something would have to give, but what? I thought and prayed, organized and planned to no avail. It was as if I were trapped in a forest of responsibilities, unable to see any light. The escape route appeared one especially dark Saturday.

I called it a Day Apart—no alarm, no list, no schedule, no phone, no internet. Just me, my Bible, a notebook, and a pencil … for as long as it took. And it took a while. I checked the concordance for references to captive and freedom since that’s who I was and what I wanted. Surely I’d find some sort of strategy to handle my situation.

God is usually into a deeper process, and this confab was no exception. Rather than simply solve problems, the Father’s plan entails the transformation of minds and hearts. With what I found in the pages of my Bible, God worked to change my heart and guide my action. His Son came and gave His life for that very purpose—to ransom souls and empower the redeemed to enjoy new life.

Jesus explained His role with Isaiah’s prophetic words. “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because He anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim release to the captives, to set free those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18 NASB). Those weighed down with burdens of any kind are called to receive Christ’s gift and come out from under the expectations from without or within which drive us—into His arms of grace.

The Old Testament commandments had their place, to underline our inability to satisfy the standards of a holy God. But the once for all atoning life, death, and resurrection of His Son settled the debt. A whole new world of opportunity awaits those who walk forward in Him. “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 NASB

And He did not leave us to find our way and fight temptation alone. “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17 NASB) The Holy Spirit indwells each believer to guide and equip us to meet the challenges ahead.

We don’t need to be overwhelmed by the obligations we face, nor succumb to their pressure. As we come into God’s holy presence the demands fall away. The more we adopt the truth of who He is and all He’s done for us, the easier it becomes to pursue His purpose in His peace.

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 ESV

sandra allen lovelaceAbout the author: Sandra Allen Lovelace is a continuing missionary, a pastor’s wife emeritus, and a home-school pioneer. She’s an award-winning speaker and author, and a sought-after mentor. Sandra’s a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA). Her current manuscript is Wallflower Women: How We Got Stuck and Ways to Gain Our Freedom. She enjoys hiking with a camera in her hand, best done on an international adventure. Sandra and her husband Curt are transitioning to South Carolina.

Connect with Sandra on her website, or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Free Book Contest!  Arise Daily will use a random number generator to pick a winner51xYzTxBG9L._AC_US218_ from today’s comments. To enter our contest for Sandra’s book,  Children in Church: Nurturing Hearts of Worship, please comment below.  By posting in our comments, you are giving us permission to share your name if you win!

Join the conversation: Have there been obligations in your life that held you captive? How did God provide the peace you sought?

 

 

Published by @barefacedgirl

Specializing in Global Brand and Communications Management, #barefacedcreative owner Amber Weigand-Buckley is a member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) and has over 20 years of award-winning multi-media experience. The publications she has served have received over 20 awards from the Evangelical Press Association. She was named the 2015 AWSA Member of the Year and the 2018 Evangel University Distinguished Communications Alumni of the Year. Currently, Amber serves authors and speakers in many consultancy, coaching and communication strategy capacities including her role as Marketing, Communications and Brand Director for the Right to the Heart Ministry Network, which includes AWSA. Amber is the founding editor and Art Director of Leading Hearts magazine (which has received an EPA award every year of its 6 years of publication. Amber is co-host of a weekly FB Live video podcast and internet radio show, Something 2 Celebrate on the Acts Media Network. She also serves Asia Pacific Media (a ministry based in Manila, Philippines) as a fundraising consultant as well as editor and art director for their multi-media e-mag MISSION magazine. In partnership with AP Media, this summer she traveled to Asia Pacific Theological Seminary in Baguio, Philippines, to teach media missionaries from Myanmar, Indonesia, India, and the Philippines to how to launch a Christian publication at their home churches. Amber heads social media and internet marketing for London Calling Pasty Company and client social media communications for Pregnancy Care Center of Springfield (Missouri). She is the marketing assistant for Red Umbrella Pictures an independent screenwriting company, marketing and editorial consultant for CEO Lifestyle Magazine in Richmond, Virginia and has helped launch businesses and ministries in the greater Richmond, Virginia community.

5 thoughts on “In Search of Peace”

  2. Good Morning all,

    I so excited to become part of AWSA , Amber ask me to became part of this great group of woman how love spend time with the lord and the best they love to hear from Him.

    I have encourage word for all the daughter or our Abba father the beautiful come from Brokenness and FORGIVENESS IS THE KEY INGREDIENT IN GOD’S GUIDANCE OF OUR LIVES.

    I’m part of the woman ministry in my home church and will plant to have a brunch for the ladies in my church and I have a question

    Does anyone have some ideas of fun games to ice break with the ladies

    Thankyou

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  3. So very important for us all to hear this. Pausing and stepping away for any length of time or to rest deeply is hard. I had to face just 3 days ago that I was trying to carry the success of two new book releases on my own shoulders and waking up every morning with my first thought, “What do I have to do today for that book?” I was not resting in God’s sovereign power and His definition of success. I had to withdraw from my distrust by consciously telling myself God was responsible. And I had to choose to do only what God wanted me to do as I abided. Hard, hard. But what peace. Thank you, Sandra, for strengthening my trust in God.

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    1. Kathy, you have just voiced the angst of any author!! I’m thankful for your example in putting your trust where it belongs. I was forced to do the same when two weeks before my book released, my grandson was born 10 weeks prematurely with Downs Syndrome and a host of issues. I had no idea how I would do anything about my book when my family was in such crisis, as I had two small children to care for while their parents practically lived at Children’s Hospital. I couldn’t, but God did. He provided in SO MANY ways, including having a group of friends step up to plan then execute my book release event. All I had to do was show up and speak. Over 150 attended that night. It was a lesson I will never forget.

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  4. I didn’t read this devo until today. As always, God’s timing is perfect. These lessons go right along with what the Lord is currently teaching me. Blessings!

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