And be thankful.

Colossians 3:15 is stuck in my head this morning. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (all emphasis mine)

I was called to peace yet much of my life I haven't lived in peace but in turmoil; turmoil created by my desire to do everything and know everything and set everyone else straight. Life events have brought me to the point where I have realized that not only am I incapable of doing everything right but the effort was creating turmoil in my heart and blocking me from hearing God. The peace of Christ didn't come from the fact that he was God or that he was perfect. Instead, it came because he listened to God and sought to do God's will in everything he did. I have started to learn something from that and through what could be tumultuous times, I have found peace.

But it doesn't end there. And be thankful. It is an idea both combined with the previous and stands unto itself. And be thankful. Thankful for the hard times? Thankful for the good times? Thankful for my job, my family, my church? Today, for me, it is simply being thankful for Christ and the peace I can have through him. Thankful that he cleared the path to my relationship with God for eternity. Under the umbrella of that thankfulness I can surely be thankful for everything else in my life but it's God and the Christ that are the pinnacle of what brings me peace and what I am thankful for.

And be thankful.

Grace and peace to you.