Nougat 25

Peace sometimes feels elusive, something that others experience. Even when we know that it’s a gift from God. What if there are other elements that we have missed, like the element mentioned in today’s Holy Nougat

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We’re not focusing on cease-fires, for I guarantee the enemy of our souls is never really offering us a ‘ceasefire’. No, not at all. Rather, the devil is either strategizing for the next attack (see Luke 4), or already in attack mode (see Job 1; and Luke 4). So the Peace we’re reflecting on is simply about rising above all the enemy sends our way.

What if the prescription for receiving and living God’s Peace includes thanksgiving, as our nougat asserts? Then we have to understand the link between thanksgiving and Peace eh. Remember that adage ‘an attitude of gratitude’? Or ‘our attitude determines our altitude’? Let’s see how they might help us fill our prescription for Peace.

I believe that the adage an attitude of gratitude is rooted in the scripture, ‘In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you’ in 1 Thessalonians 5:18. This is not necessarily saying everything is God’s Will for us, but that thanksgiving or thankfulness is God’s will in relation to our lives. Given that God’s will for us is rooted in Christ Jesus, it is very telling that the word used in the Greek for thanksgiving in that verse, and used in the imperative in our nougat (eucharisteite), bears similarity the term that we use to describe the Lord’s Supper – Eucharist.

Thanksgiving is not just when the going is good; thanksgiving is anticipating what remains to be seen. Our attitude of gratitude is this not only about focusing on the gifts of the past, but also on the Gifter and moreover about the future – our reunion with Him. Isn’t that what the Eucharist is about, looking forward to His return?

So our altitude then is about rising above the enemy’s shenanigans. Yup, that’s a hard one sometimes. In fact, I think it’s one of the things my seminary professors described as ‘growing edges’. In other words, weaknesses to be overcome. And I can assure you that it is only by God’s grace manifested by Jesus Christ through God’s Spirit that some of us will get our altitude shift. It’s a process.

But if our altitude is determined by our attitude and the attitude is about our gratitude, and our gratitude is about anticipation, then Hope continues to spring eternal for Peace in trying situations. We recognize the situation for what it is – a test, or part of the enemy’s strategy of distraction and destruction. Armed with the knowledge, we maintain our focus on the One Who keeps us and presents us faultless and we count the blessings offered by our Savior. With eyes focused Heavenwards, our thanksgiving is constant, realizing that Precious Peace that allows us to rise … our shift in altitude. Let it be so for each of us please Lord, by Your mercy and grace amen

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May all we seek be found in Christ