Serenity
Each night before sundown, and after dinner my husband and I walk Lady, our lab, across the street to a nearby golf path. Sometimes he brings his golf putter and putts while I make the loop. Tonight was one of those nights. It is such a peaceful time for reflection; the course is quiet, the surrounding waters are still, the sun is making its way down and the magpies (beautiful black and white large birds) are touting their wings for a last flight of the evening. And it occurred to me that this is just the way God would have us live…soaked in his serenity.
But how often do we take time to be quiet and still, even just for a few minutes, and let God fill our souls with his peace and allow him the freedom to keep the clamor and chaos of everyday life at bay.
There was a prayer written many years ago by a theologian named Reinhold Niebuhr in the late 1930’s to early 1040’s that read:"O God and Heavenly Father, Grant to us the serenity of mind to accept that which cannot be changed; the courage to change that which can be changed, and the wisdom to know the one from the other, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.”
In todays’ venue/culture it is referred to as The Serenity Prayer. It is often shortened to read: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
God grant me the serenity- Serenity means peace of mind, quietness and calmness. Just think about that a second, and ask yourself “Does that description relate to you?” In this prayer it makes note that God is real and he has the power to grant to each of us serenity …if we ASK and we accept his gift of peace.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ.
To accept the things I cannot change– there are situations when you cannot do anything to change it…and that sometimes means changing other people. People have to be willing to change on their own not by force of someone else. Another thing we cannot change is the past. We can learn from it, for sure, but we must press on to new beginnings. The past is done ..the present is where we are called to live.
Philippians 4:11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself.
Courage to change the things I can –
It takes courage to change a lifestyle that you have become entranced in especially if it is one that has imprisoned you into with old and bad habits. But God will and has given you a boldness in his strength if you do not yet have enough of your own to make a change for your better. This is a prayer that calls for us to accept the past and move along so that we can lay aside worry. Change is hard and most of us don’t like it. But if we are willing, God will give us the confidence to carry on in a healthy way and regenerate a life to be one of prayer, purpose, and priorities.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.
And wisdom to know the difference between what can’t be changed and what can – So often it is hard to let go of a situation that has that you have tried so hard to fix. And even harder to recognize that it is over your head and out of your hands. These are things you cannot fix! And then there are situations that you can make changes in, changes that will make life better and richer.
But when you are making calls of what you can change and what you cannot, it is God who has the wisdom to help you calculate which compartment to put them in.
The thing is we have to be willing to let go of our own ego and let God have the reigns to direct us in the direction he wants us to go. Christ wants you to live in the serenity and peace that he offers. But how can we do that if we don’t accept Him to be our savior, our rescuer, our counselor and above all our Father in Heaven who wants the best for the life in you that he created.
Take a walk today, look around and absorb the nature around you that abounds. Come close to God and he will come close to you; it is an amazing journey when we walk in spirit with our Holy God and recognize his presence.
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God- who gives to all generously and ungrudging – and it will be given to him.
Thank you Lord for the many ways you come into my life and steer my thoughts.May you touch the hearts of those who read these devotionals with a desire to know you better, love you more and trust your guidance. Amen
Praise God wherever you are or whatever situation he has allowed you to be in...for his Glory will shine through!
