Is It Possible to “Just” Live, Love and be Peaceful?
One of my favorite quotes is about dandelions: “Some see a weed; some see a wish.” This metal dandelion sculpture in downtown Coeur d’Alene is a favorite art piece in our hometown hamlet, a small city which does a great job of highlighting art and artists. Isn’t it lovely showcased in front of the beautiful colors of October?
One recent morning, I scrolled through social media and then looked at unopened emails. A post on Facebook, which reflected on growing older, declared a desire to “just” live, love, and be peaceful. A few minutes after reading that, I looked at email attachments my husband sent from his fall-colors exploration. Among other sites, Ron’s excursion took him to a local cemetery.
Perhaps my connection seems bizarre, but the juxtaposition of the social media post and my husband’s graveyard photographs caused me to recall words of the Apostle Paul in a letter he wrote to his friends in Philippi. Without looking, I reached for the nearest Bible in the basket next to my chair to read this familiar Philippians passage yet one more time. The Message was the Bible I retrieved, and these are the words that emerged:
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. (Philippians 4:6-9 The MSG)
Although I believe it is a good idea to examine life in light of eternity despite our age, the aging process highlights the importance of such examination. Within the past few months, two of our dear friends, both younger than Ron and me, passed from earth to Heaven. They are sorely missed, and their absence at family celebrations, especially during the upcoming holiday months, will be felt keenly.
Life is fragile and fleeting. Seasons change. Death occurs. These realities serve to remind me I want to:
pray for God’s help and blessing rather than worry.
praise the goodness of Jesus rather than criticize the badness of society.
listen to the Spirit for “settled-down” rather than “riled-up” emotions,
fill my thoughts with what is right rather than what is wrong.
choose harmony rather than critical dissonance.
Is this even possible, or are these words merely pie-in-the-sky sentimental hope?
As I ponder this question, I remember Paul’s letter to the Philippians was written while he was incarcerated in prison. Understanding his life would most likely end soon, Paul wrote the joy-filled words less than five years before he was martyred.
Truly, that’s all the assurance my soul needs this blustery autumn day.
