SALT Challenge - Serenity

This week it was Ruth's turn to set the challenge on the SALT blog and she choose a most excellent topic - serenity. You can read her write up on the SALT blog. Since Ruth shared her topic a few weeks ago it has been on my mind frequently. Probably because I don't often feel very serene. I usually feel like I'm running around in circles, desperately trying to accomplish something in what seems like too few hours in the day. Life is hectic....And I think most of us have a tendency to fill up the hours of our day with something; working, caring for children, studying, cleaning, stamping (shhhh...I didn't just say that, did I?), watching TV, etc. Yet it's typical that all of these things tend to take our eyes off of Christ. We start to rely on our own strength, we become easily frustrated with those around us, we grow anxious about our jobs, money, or health. It's so easy to forget that God can use the mundane, every day circumstances of our lives to draw us closer to Him, to teach us that relying on ourselves is an exercise in futility. My card has a small portion of Psalms 46:10 on it, "Be still and know that I am God". Such a powerful and profound statement...Be still. How often do we slow done and spend time with God when we feel frazzled or overwhelmed. I confess that I spend far too much time fretting over minor issues then I do on my knees. Yet it is only through resting upon the mighty shoulders of Christ that we can find peace in the midst of chaos. I read all of Psalms 46 before posting and I just have to share some of the other verses...It really drives home the "be still" idea when you consider the circumstances described:

vs. 1-3 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed,

And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling."

vs. 6 "The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted."

vs. 10 "Be still and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

This is a dramatic picture of amazing events....We're told that even if nations rage and the earth were removed, we can be still and know that God is God. He is in control, even in the midst of what seems like random and chaotic circumstances, He is in control. There is such comfort in that truth. I need only to slow down and focus on Christ to find true and lasting serenity. Please visit the SALT blog to see all of the amazing creations posted by our design team! With the addition of eight new team members, we have quite a collection of work to share! Enjoy and have a serene day! :-)