I believe in these days The Lord is calling many of us to be an agent of Peace. Someone who is so abandoned to him and captivated by his presence, that just by being near someone they can feel something different about you. They notice an otherworldly calm about you that is irresistible and full of love and joy. A carrier of the Presence of the Lord. A life-giving spirit.
Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
1 Corinthians 15:45 (ESV)
Something I’ve noticed in my life is the more peaceful my life is, the more I de-clutter, the easier it is to enter into this Peace for myself. It’s hard to be a resonator of peace if you are not personally experiencing it. I am not telling everyone to go live out in the country on a quiet piece of land (although I would highly recommend it), but to evaluate the choices you are making in your life. Are they adding more stress or more peace? I understand there are obligations in life that add a level of complexity and not everyone can live in a remote cabin and pray and meditate 24 hours a day.
However, I think it comes down to a value system. What you value most will determine how you make your decisions. My wife and I value feeling peace and mental calm, which is why we are guarded with what we put into our minds. We choose inputs (TV, books, etc.) that leave us feeling better afterwards. We choose not to be involved in a lot of “outside activities”, and to many our life probably would look very boring. We enjoy spending time outside in nature, taking walks, gardening, and just enjoying being together with our family.
Can you be connected with God in a meaningful way even in the midst of a busy urban lifestyle? Absolutely. However, what I would encourage you to ask yourself is, of the activities that you’re involved in or participate in, which ones are life giving? Which ones are you doing because you feel like you “should”, but they stress you out? Are you doing it because you truly feel called to, or are you simply doing it because of what someone else thinks? If you stopped doing it, would it give you more peace, or less? Only you can answer this question.
Even taking one small step forward towards increasing the peace in your life is an incredible victory! And if you are unsure where to begin, the Prince of Peace will be more than willing to show you.
Pray this with me:
“Father in heaven, we praise you and thank you for your Son Jesus and for your precious Holy Spirit. We ask that you would show us any aspects of our lives that need adjusting in order to experience your Peace more fully. We thank you for your Presence being with us and leading us every step of the way. May we be transformed into the image of your Son, from glory to glory. Amen.”
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 14:27 (ESV)
Peaceful Streams 
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