Life's Manual

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. Colossians 3:15‭-‬17 MSG

Talk about a manual for all of life. Life is first inner, before it reflects on the outer. You cannot give what you don't have; therefore a life without the peace of God can never live in peace with other people. Having God inside you does not also make you immune to conflicts and disagreements, but why today's extract is key is it teaches me to rely on my inner strength to live right on the outside with other people. Everything God demands from me will take time, and will demand dependence on God. I don't have what it takes, and I definitely will not last on my own.

Cultivation takes time and effort, but the benefits  are worth it. Thankfulness is also first a thing of the heart before it ever becomes a visible, physical thing.  Another fundamental part to this inner state is the Word of God. It must have room, pride of place. It must direct all of life, and it must determine relationships and standards. It must be the compass with which actions, motives and intentions are measured. It must guide me as I seek to impact the world with the Word. God would not force his standards on anyone, but the effect of whatever choices we make today is always eternal.

The direction is clear - every detail is to be done in the name of the Master. Have I accepted him as Master, or am I still very much in charge of my own life? Have I handed over the control to the only One who knows what is ahead, and can guide aright?  I don't have the faintest idea about anything; education and enlightenment do not provide answers to these questions; only total faith in God does. His time of favour is here.