“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace” Philippians 3:15

“Let”. Now, that’s an interesting word. In fact, in the Greek the word is not so much “let” but “let rule”.

I didn’t know we had the power to “let” the peace of Christ “rule”. I kinda just figured that God had all the power to do whatever God wanted to do. But here’s the thing, peace of Christ doesn’t just rule in our hearts. Christ doesn’t force his peace on us. We have a choice. We have to choose the peace that Christ offers.

And choosing Christ’s peace means letting go of our anxiety, uncertainty, and our need for control.

These things – anxiety, uncertainty, our need for control – are the antithesis of the peace of Christ because the peace of Christ is only available to those who place their trust in Christ. The problem with anxiety, uncertainty, and our need for control is that they want to rule us. And for Christ-followers, there can only be One who rules us.

This simple word – “let” – literally means letting go of our anxiety, uncertainty, and need for control and instead choosing to trust Christ who is our Lord and Savior that Christ loves us and knows what is best for us so that the peace of Christ rules in our hearts.

Finally, if you are a Christ-follower, that we do this is not a choice. The Greek word for “let rule” is in in the imperative. That’s an order!

Let go of:

• all that causes us anxiety
• all uncertainties
• our need for control

Instead, lean into the peace of Christ by trusting that God loves us and knows what is best for us. That’s when Christ’s peace begins to rule in our hearts.

“Beloved let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God” – 1 John 4:7

Ready for some homework? Ready to do something besides being anxious and practicing social distancing?

Today is your lucky day!

While we may not be meeting in church, committees, coffee shops, restaurants, etc. No one is stopping us from being the church and using a tool we already have in our possession: our telephones and time!

Every day, call  three people. You should have a church directory – if you don’t let the church office know and we can email you or mail you a copy. Go down the list and make it a practice to call three people every day to check in with them.

• Catch up with them
• See how they are doing
• Ask how they came to know Jesus, came to the Little Church or Lakewoodgrace
• Ask for prayer concerns and joys
• Let them know you are thinking of them and pray with them

Be the church. Sure, we now worship on line. But we can still stay in touch with one another by calling in.

Do what Stevie Wonder sang about – “I just called to say I love you…” (p.s. if you click on that, it will take you to the song)

Remember, every day, check in with three people. Be the church!

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God” – Isaiah 41:10

When I was a kid, there were times when I was afraid. But it was amazing how quickly the fear would melt away when dad was holding my hand.

Nothing had changed with my environment. It was still dark. What changed was I was no longer alone. My dad was with me. His presence made all the difference in the world.

“Do not fear…”

“Do not be dismayed…”

Why? Our Father tells us.

“For I am with you.”

“For I am your God.”

The circumstances in our world hasn’t changed. It’s just that our Father, our God is with us every step of the way. God’s presence makes all the difference.

And somehow, the world isn’t such a scary place anymore…