Where do you put your trust?

I am on several different "devotional emails" that I have been signed up for here and there over the years.  Alot of them I probably never really read.  Some however, from time to time spark my interest and are profound thoughts that usually come at just the right time.  

One in particular that always has something good to say is from a pastor outside of Stonewall Texas.  I met him at a Via De Cristo weekend several years ago and he put all of us on his devotion list.  

Since I have been reading about peace and living in peace and so on here lately, this email from Pastor Percy really struck me in good ways.  Here is a copy of that email:

 "It seems to me that after loving God, my life goal may actually be to have peace within.  I cannot control how much disturbance I may get from outside my life, but to have peace within seems like the way to go.  So long as I am in control of my life, I will be uneasy and uncertain.  I have learned that.  But when God is trusted in one situation or anther, I find I am at peace in that circumstance.  The more I recognize that he is to be trusted the more peace I find within. 

            Jesus told the disciples on a couple occasions as he was leaving the physical world we live in that he gave them peace, not as the world gives, but peace.  That is my prayer.  Could it be yours?  “Father grant me peace and help me see you in all the circumstances and situations of my life."

We talk so much about needing control in our life and who is at the wheel driving our lives.  So much in today's world, we find that we don't trust God in the situations of life.  We find ourselves not wanting to have faith that God will provide, not wanting to have faith that God will be there in EVERYTHING.  


I have been starting my day with prayer more actively for the past few months.  My youth know that often, I carry around my prayer rock "peace" in my pocket when I find that I am unfocused.  


Awhile back I talked about reading a book about happiness coming from within.  All the yarn in the world will not make me happy.  All of the money in the world will not make me happy.  


I think Pastor Percy is right on by his understand that peace works the same way. When I put God in my driver's seat and realize that God is in control, I find that peace.  When I have realized lately that I need to give control to God and asking God how I might serve, there is peace.  Conflicts are handled more easily.  There is not frustration.  There is a calm.  There is an evidence of peace in my life that I have never experienced.


So, I reiterate the prayer from my friend Percy --

Father grant me peace and help me see you in all the circumstances and situations of my life. “ Help me remember God, that in all things, you are in charge.  YOU are God and I am not.  

AMEN