resilience | lent devotions

“For He Himself is our peace and our bond of unity. He who made both groups - [Jews and Gentiles]- into one body and broke down the barrier, the dividing wall [of spiritual antagonism between us]” Ephesians 2:14, AMP

There are people who annoy me. You, too? Welcome to the body of imperfect people being transformed into the likeness of Christ! Having said that, though, I recognise one of the hallmarks of a lover of God is that they are someone who actively pursues peace.

Genesis 13 tells us that Abram (Abraham) was an extremely rich, very powerful man. There were arguments between Abram’s herdsmen and those that belonged to his nephew, Lot. The row developed because their flocks shared the same grazing and there wasn’t enough grazing to sustain them all. Now, you’d expect Lot - the lesser, younger man - to go to Abram - the more powerful elder - to seek a solution. But that’s not how it happened. Abram went to Lot and suggested splitting the herds. And Abram gave Lot the first choice of grazing land. Lot chose the best pasture.

Abram knew he had already been blessed and so does what is right in the eyes of God and takes the humble route confident the Lord will just keep blessing him. As a direct result, God takes Abram up a mountain and tells him everything he sees will be given to him.

God chooses to prosper people of peace so that his plans can be established on the earth. Being humble and always being the first to go and make peace is hard on our flesh but resilience involves walking in the spirit. You have the power you need to be a person of peace, bolstered by resilience.

Let's pray
Give me a passion for peace, Lord. Make me a channel of it. Keep me from getting annoyed and angry, frustrated and bullish. Increase my love for the people you place around me. I know you love them as you love me. Help me be a good witness to that love as I actively pursue peace. In Jesus' name. Amen

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