Making Peace

This weekend, our Pastor taught us from Romans 12. He's been doing an indepth study of Romans, so covering every point would take many blogs. But one scripture in particular stuck out at me. It's verse 18 of chapter 12: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." It goes on to say not to take revenge (which can also mean don't take offense). I'm learning, ok???
Staying at peace with people is at times difficult, but it is a part of loving your neighbor as your self. Our church calls it "loving the one-anothers." Powerful truth that is too often left in the dust of our emotions and feelings and judgments.

Peace has been a big issue in my life. Many times I've declared that I would guard my peace.

I would submit, however, that there is something with which I endeavor to never "make peace". I will not make peace with bondage! Bondage is that habit or belief which tells us "oh, we're just made this way", or "this is just the way I am", or "my grandmother/grandfather/mother/father/etc. all had this same problem...it's in my genes." Honey, it's time to change genes! When we have Jesus as Savior and LORD of our lives, we are a new creation. We should not allow ourselves to be subject to the 'genes' of our past. It is His blood that has bought and paid for us, and His blood which now covers us and flows in us. We are part of His Kingdom, His Family, His Bloodline.

Ok, I'm strong on not making peace with my bondage because there is an issue in my own life that I am fighting to overcome. All of my family is obese, for many generations. It is something that I can lay down and accept, or fight to put under my feet. I have chosen to fight. It is a long, arduous, difficult journey, and I've discovered through exercise (that dreaded neccessity) that I have muscles I never knew existed.

So why fight? I fight to break the cycle in my immediate bloodline...son, granddaughter, grandson, and on and on. I fight to finish the race and do all that God has called me to do. I fight to be able to represent Him in His victory. I fight to live out all of my days in health.

Romans 12:1 says to "present our bodies as living sacrifices...this is your spiritual act of worship." It's not our song or our writings or even our service. It's our bodies that are the "spiritual act of worship." Ouch! Think of that the next time a bag of chips or a piece of pie calls your name!

So, as we Focus on Him this week, think about what bondage you are trying to overcome: food adictions, drugs, alcohol, relationships, depression, self harm, child abuse, negative attitudes or speech...the list goes on. Ask the Holy Spirit for strength, clarity, and battle strategies. Then declare you will not make peace with bondage.

Stay Focused! It's the only way to move past surviving to thriving.
Ann