Loving Life and Having Good Days!

     Well, doesn't that title sound like it's going to be a great post?  I should tell you, that the way today has been, I DO NOT feel like I can blog about this!  But, I can't seem to get away from this idea that's been hanging around, and that usually means I need to blog about it, because that's what direction God wants me to head!  So, even though I am feeling frazzled, rushed and laundry is calling my name, I'm going to blog about good days and a love for life.  Ha! Here goes...


     I guess the idea showed up yesterday in church.  My pastor/dad mentioned a verse in passing in his morning sermon.  It wasn't even his text verse, but for some reason it stuck with me.  It was 1 Peter 3:10-11.  "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him seek peace, and ensue it."  (Emphasis mine.) There it is, right there in black and white, how to have a good day, and love your life!  I'm not sure why this verse had never struck me in this particular fashion before: I know I've read it several times.  But for some reason, it just jumped out at me this time.  I told Hubby that I was going to type it up, print it out, and post it all over the house!  


     This verse is actually Peter quoting from the Old Testament--Psalm 34:12-14.  So, in reality, God has given us two separate places in which we can find out how to have a good day & to love our life!  Maybe in case we didn't catch it the first time...


     So, what's the formula?  Well, the first part of the verse deals with our mouth, where--let's admit it--most of us have some pretty big issues!  It says to "refrain (hold back) your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking guile."  What I found especially interesting about the word "evil" was that, in the Greek, (ha, I've always wanted to say that!) it doesn't necessarily mean wicked or bad in this instance.  It has the meaning of "worthless."  Stop and think about the verse in that context!  We should hold back our tongues from saying worthless things!  Whoa!  How many times a day can I think back about something I said that had no worth?  This idea pretty much takes out gossip, complaining, whining, petty arguments, and there's no telling what else!  


   The next part of the verse is more pro-active concerning what we can do to have a good day.  We must "seek peace and ensue it."  This seems to me to be saying that we have to take an active role in searching for peace.  Yes, in the midst of whining children, leaking freezers, mountains of laundry, sinks full of dishes, and who-knows-what else, we are to be looking for peace!  Now, on the surface, this seems impossible!  Especially if you're like me, and life only feels peaceful when everything is caught up and completed!  So, how can I seek peace in the midst of chaos?  Well, there's really only one answer...in the presence of Jesus Christ.  Seeking after Christ must be a priority in our lives.  Spend time in His Word, and in the quietness of prayer.  Then, when life is spiralling into chaos, you can retreat in your mind to the refuge of your Heavenly Father and ask for His peace to fill your mind and heart.  


     I guess that's about all the "preaching" I'm going to do for tonight!  Read the verse for yourself and see what God has for you...and maybe, just maybe, your tomorrow will be a little more peaceful!  :)