SERENITY

Whiteface Mountain, Adirondacks, New York

That God exists, that He loves us, and is Himself a lover of beauty, are the thoughts that swirl through my mind when I gaze on this picture.  I am so grateful to realize that this vast, beautiful Creation is here not only to please Him, but to please us and to build us up.

When terrifying headlines and horrific images assault us, it is good to remember that serenity reigns in God's order, and the goodness, beauty, and comfort that our heavenly father shows us is ours forever.

It seems to me that when we are walking in the Spirit, and trying to live as Jesus has taught us, that we and our lives take on a very peaceful ambiance.  We are sort of like those mountains up there, settled and silent, strong and majestic as the clouds of serenity settle upon them like a veil.

That is how I want my life to be.  I want to be where God places me and to be and do whatever is in His will for me.  You know, we only have but so much time each day, and so much time in our entire lives, to be here, so why should we continue to punish ourselves by allowing the daily assaults of the world to crowd in upon us, destroying our peace, and sidetracking us with worry and fear?

I think the antidote for our troubled hearts and minds is to let them be still, as we bring to mind all that is good and holy, as in Philippians 4:8.  We can and should also make it a priority to step outside each day, and to breathe deeply some good, fresh air, and find something pleasing and beautiful to gaze upon.  It can be as simple as rain on a window or a clover in the grass.  Just drink it in and let it work its life and peace into your mind and soul.