The Internal Peace Treaty

Many people feel that the Christian worldview undermines our ability to do anything, that it weakens us and portrays humans as incapable. That all the talk about ‘depending on God’ and ‘acknowledging God’s role’ is demeaning in some way.

Marriage has taught me a lot about my relationship with God. When Ken and I first started on our marriage journey there were countless things that frustrated me about him (sorry babe). I was so used to functioning as a single person and the circumstances I was comfortable with, that if things didn’t match up to what I was used to, it would cause tension. As the years drew on I adjusted my internal compass so that I became more comfortable with what was best for both of us, not just me.

When you become a Christian, the same kind of process begins to unfold between you and God. There are internal ‘peace treaties’ being made each day as you adjust to bring about the best in and for both of you. The incredible thing about a relationship with the Creator of the Universe is that He already knows you so deeply and intimately - He knows exactly what adjustments will bring about the best outcome in and for you. And He already loves you perfectly.

It doesn’t feel comfortable sometimes because we do not love perfectly. In fact, it can feel like we’re going out to a battle of the wills - similar to a marriage! A great phrase I’ve heard many times is to “choose your battles”. In time, the unfought battles either decrease in importance or you’re more prepared to handle them well. These peace treaties allow us to bring two (strong and capable) armies together to fight everything else united as one.

Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:31-33 NKJV

Below is the first of many Music Videos we've been working on. Thankyou for Subscribing to my Youtube channel!  

Anchored

One of the craziest experiences I had while living on the ship, was when we hit an incredible storm crossing the South China Sea. The voyage was 11 days long and I’d spent most of it feeling sea sick. By the time the storm hit I had joined a group that was literally lying on the floor, taking refuge, in the very middle of the ship. Wave after wave slammed against the starboard side. Earlier I had helped our laundry team secure all the washing buckets while water crashed over us, and now as I lay on the floor, I was thankful we weren’t still there on that deck. The waves were now higher than before, lapping at the windows of the main lounge area.

Suddenly, the ship keeled and I kid you not, we all slid from one side of the room to the other! I actually saw someone somersault past me! The captain’s voice came over the loud-speaker, assuring us all that even though the sensation inside the ship was ridiculously tumultuous, the actual ship was only tilting slightly and there was nothing to fear. As the storm passed and the ship’s crew sprang into recovery mode, there was a vast amount of cleanup to be done. The photo above is my cabin. Everything that wasn’t secured ended up on the floor. I hadn’t been ready for this at all. Thankfully, the more experienced crew members had, and most of the expensive equipment on board had been secured and saved.

When I think about the concept of putting Jesus as Lord of my life, putting a concerted effort into living as He would have lived, and taking every opportunity to spend time listening for His direction, it’s not at all about trying to meet a standard or gain approval from Him. For me, it’s all about wisdom. I was so thankful the captain of our ship was in control on that voyage. As storms have hit my life, I’ve made it through knowing that I’m securely anchored to the one who knows me intimately and loves me completely.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for those who come to me and hear my words and put them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on a rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.” Luke 6:46-48 TNIV

My Warrior Music Video