Daily time to reflect and seek peace

My 2024 Focus: Peace

GUEST POST BY PAUL AMOS 

Peace… I spent the overwhelming majority of my life running at a ridiculous pace.

I never cease to be amazed how quickly the year starts off and goes generally for that matter. It’s hard to believe that we are already in February.  This January has caused me to really reflect about what I want in life and what it is going to take to achieve it. While it is very much against my hard charging nature, at the prompting of our pastor, I have been asking God to really speak a word into me that is a theme for 2024.

Throughout the 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting at our church, I made this a daily prayer. While it did not come as a blinding flash of light or a burning bush, I have heard the Holy Spirit through my own prayer and the strong leaning of others really focus me on “Peace.” I am currently in the process of reading a book called “Unleashing Peace” by Jeremiah Johnston, and it really speaks to the heart of how true peace can only come from God with the help of the Holy Spirit.

I think for most of my life I sought happiness, but rarely did I seek Peace. These are clearly separate things, because throughout the Bible Jesus talks about Peace and Happiness together on many occasions.

The reason for my lack of long-term success was that the Peace I did seek was really all about me and doing it in my own strength. I wanted what I wanted. As I reflect, that feels so foolish.  

Base your happiness on your hope in Christ. When trials come endure them patiently, steadfastly maintain the habit of prayer.

— Romans 12:12

I spent the overwhelming majority of my life running at a ridiculous pace. Running for success, but equally running from time for reflection, running from my past and running from the wisdom and Peace that only God can provide.

For lack of a better analogy, I was wandering in a desert of my own creation.

How many of us is that true for? How often do we take the daily time to reflect and seek Peace through our Lord and Savior?

I have been amazed since I have started to make this mental shift in 2024, how quickly my perspective has changed. It’s not that my life circumstances have changed as much as my perspective has shifted. My dependence on God has stopped the boat from tossing me around weekly, daily or even hourly. I feel much more grounded and capable of withstanding the storm. I can feel his Peace coming over me, and my daily prayer is that each of you can feel the same. By giving up control and submitting, we are unlocking the path to Peace. 

Shalom! Peace be with all of you! 

For my southern brethren, Shalom! Peace Y’all!

Paul Amos
A3.business Practitioner

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Paul Amos is the founder of The Redeemed, including The Redeemed Man podcast, and also serves as a faculty member for A3.business.

THE REDEEMED provides men with a supportive, communal environment where they can discuss their problems, worries, and feelings of brokenness without fear of being judged or censored. Challenges men face range from unemployment, financial troubles, and relationship difficulties to health problems, sexual issues, alcoholism or drug addiction, and the simple anxiety that comes from living in our competitive, polarized world. In these challenging, uncertain times, many men feel broken and alone. Yet, many men shy away from churches because they fear being condemned or gossiped about. We present God’s redemption not as a trophy that can be won only by the worthy, but as a path that is open to all. The Redeemed aims to show men they’re not alone in their brokenness, and that God’s love and strength are available to them too—not in spite of their human failings, but because. (www.theredeemed.com)

THE REDEEMED MAN podcast features interviews with dynamic speakers on a variety of topics affecting men in our world. Paul Amos, founder of The Redeemed, hosts this podcast in hopes of offering Christian wisdom and insights into many of life’s challenges. (https://theredeemedman.buzzsprout.com/share)

More Information

• This article was reposted with permission from Paul Amos.
• Photo by Ken Cheung on Unsplash

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