Pattern all your calculating to: Christ will come again - Day 6

Romans 12:18

18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 

The verse is very carefully crafted. There is a part that is possible for us to do, we have a role in living peaceably with others. We can act in ways that make that more possible. But there is also a point at which we do not have the ability to make peace take place. A point where our ability, our control ends. We can live lives that are shaped by the peaceable reign that God is bringing. But we do not have the ability to force others to live by the values of that peaceable reign.

We reach a point where we have to trust God to act, trust God to bring the reign of peace into being. Recognizing our human limitations is one of the most important things we can do, for it teaches us the humility of trusting God and God’s timing. The waiting for God’s reign to be revealed shapes us into humble people, into people who know what it is to let go and let God. Waiting for the reign of God, waiting for Christ to come again, transforms us into people whose lives are focussed on Jesus Christ and his desires for the world. Our plans, our timelines, our agendas get swallowed into what God is doing.

Human beings, limited and frail as we are, unable to control what other people do, we are invited to join the God of grace whose peaceable kingdom will come into being. While we cannot bring the peaceable kingdom, God can and God will. We look forward to the day when peace will come, not by our power or will, but by the action of the Prince of Peace.

PRAYER:

God of peace, we desire peace for the world, but we know that all our efforts will fall short. Therefore we rejoice that you have invited us to participate in the peaceable kingdom you are bringing. For we know that your kingdom is certain. In Jesus’ name. Amen.