I dreamed that there was a special bird that needed a place to nest. It had to be a peaceful place where it would be safe. I thought it should be hidden within me. The bird built a nest and laid eggs. The eggs were a beautiful vibrant white and I placed white downy fluff between each egg gently. It was like I was creating a nest within the nest for each egg. They were treated as the individual and special eggs that they were.
They hatched quickly and there were at least three baby birds. I realized they were birds of peace. I knew I would have to feed them peace. I kept the birds within me because, in my Spirit, I knew that God was going to be giving me the peace to raise the Peace Birds for Him.
A Day of Peace
After waking up, I thought about my strange dream periodically throughout the day. I started pondering the idea that maybe peace does need to be nurtured and cared for within us. After my dream, I noticed I felt peaceful during the day. I was even playing an electronic game and made a mistake that cost me a few points. It was the same mistake that I had made on countless occasions. I got a little annoyed when I lost my points. I got zoned out and was only focused on what I am trying to accomplish. I have always considered my getting Zoned Out, as one of my character flaws. This time was different. This time I was feeling peaceful due to my dream, and I realized it did not really matter that I had missed a couple of points. I was still reaching my goal. I realized that I did not need to be perfect. Then I realized, no one is actually perfect except for Jesus.
I Need to Nurture My Peace
I kept my peace because, I knew I did not need to be disappointed in myself. I realized God saw it as self-condemnation by expecting perfection from myself. I started to wonder if there were other things that steal my peace because, I think I should not make mistakes. I wondered if I needed to look at what I consider a flaw in my character and ask God if He thinks it’s a flaw that needs to be replaced with something better or can He use it for His good. I need to stop judging myself and others and allow God to be the Judge.
Character Flaw or Human Potential
God helped me see that my stubborn persistence could be used for good by giving it to God. Maybe I can give God my Zoned Out focus when I am striving to reach a goal. God has been teaching me this year that I often see a character flaw where God sees an opportunity to transform a part of my personality into something useful. God sees us differently than we see ourselves. If I would only seek God more often to see myself from God’s perspective, then I would be happier.
GOD of Peace
In an online prayer meeting with family and friends, God gave me seven Scriptures to meditate on during the week. One Scripture for each day of my week. The first Scripture was Luke 2:14 about the Birth of Jesus. As I read the words slowly, I felt the peace of God and understood that due to the Birth of Jesus, the whole world now for the First Time, had the opportunity to experience the peace of God. It even made logical sense that God would give Luke 2:14 to me to meditate upon first. Real inner peace starts with the Messiah of God.
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Inner Peace
In John 14:27 I understood that God’s peace is unique and special. A peace that could live within me and feed the needs of whatever God places in my hands to care for. I started to understand my strange dream about Peace Birds, was to help me understand my need to allow God’s peace to grow within me. John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.“
Meditating on Psalm 22-23
God had me meditate on Psalm 22 to better receive the blessing of Psalm 23. While meditating on Psalm 22, I could almost feel the anguish and suffering of the Messiah, the Lamb of God. I understood that His suffering was not in vain. God used the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ for my personal benefit and anyone else that accepted God’s gift of salvation. As I meditated on Psalm 23, I understood God was making and keeping a promise in the same breath for me. I understood He made me this promise even before I prayed to receive Christ as my Savior. He promised to provide for me, to heal, nurture, protect, walk with me and bless me forever. The best part was the promise that I would be spending eternity with Him in His home. The peace I have, is knowing God wants me to understand how deeply He loves me as an individual.
Meditating on Psalm 48
As I meditated on Psalm 48, I remembered other Scriptures that I had read affirming that Jesus is the rightful King of the Jews. The Roman invaders meant it as an insult to put a sign on Jesus’ cross with the title of the King of the Jews. From numerous Scriptures, we see that title was correct. The Romans unknowingly treated Jesus as a captured King being executed. It is common knowledge that Nations captured in earthly wars often have individual collaborators, many in high places working with the invaders. I saw the Jewish leaders that rejected Jesus in a new light. I saw them as individual collaborators that did not speak for the Nation of Israel even though they tried to make it appear as if they did. Appearances can be deceiving. I understood as King of Israel, only the Messiah has the authority to speak for Israel.
In Psalm 48, the mention of Mount Zion and the villages of Judah reminded me that all of Israel belonged to God. It was a sobering thought I had never fully grasped before. The Nation of Israel still belongs to God. Jesus is still their King. The Jews still belong to God. That is why they must continue to follow the Jewish holidays and the Law of God, that were given to them by God through Moses. Meditating on this Scripture and praying about it, gave me a deeper peace and understanding that spoke to my heart as well as my mind. God will not abandon His people. Even if leaders in high places collaborate with the enemy, God will use it for His purpose.
Meditating on Genesis 15:15
It is written in Gen 15:15 “And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.” As I meditated on Genesis 15, I understood that it a blessing to go to the Father without regrets. It is a blessing to go to the Father trusting He will love and care for those we leave behind. It gives us peace to know we have willingly finished the work God has given us to do.
I was reminded how some people do not go to our Heavenly Father in His perfect peace. Some people are sad because they have regrets. Some people feel they have left things undone, unfinished. When my earthly Father was in the hospital dying from Lung Cancer, he had a day of regrets that he had to work through. He was very sad that day as he talked about the things that were making him sad. I still remember how sad I was that day for him however, I am happy knowing he is now with God and is no longer sad.
As I meditated on this Scripture, I also remembered how Jesus spoke to His friend, John and Mary, His mother as He was hanging on the cross. He told them they were family. He knew as a family they would comfort and care for each other. The work of Jesus was finished on the cross as He cared for His family and took on all sin for all believers according to the purpose and plan of our God. Jesus died going to our Father in peace because He had been faithful to God by being willingly obedient to God and He left behind a family that would care for one another.
Meditating on 2 Thessalonians 3:16
I was reminded of the importance of being in a personal relationship with the Lord as I read, 2 Thes 3:16 “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” When I meditated on 2 Thessalonians 3, I was comforted as I read the word “now” and how those moments happen while we are in the presence of God. I understood, “peace” comes when the Lord of Peace, personally delivers the blessing by just showing up. This Scripture spoke to my heart and confirmed that the day of blessings I had expectantly hoped for was not in vain because, it was being experienced NOW. God was also promising a blessing of peace at all times in every way and not just for me, but for all of us waiting on Him. It was all about just seeking to be in His presence from day to day.
Meditating on Matthew 5:9
I remembered I was a child of God as I meditated on Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” In John 17, Jesus prayed that we would be One in Him and the Father. He prayed that we would all be One in God. God has answered that prayer through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We have free will. If we pray and allow God to move and dwell within us, then He will make us His sons and daughters, His peacemakers. As we grow in our personal relationship with God, we will see the fruit of the Spirit called peace living and growing within us.
Let Us Pray for Peace
Lord God Almighty, You are the God of Peace, sanctify me in Your holiness Christ Jesus and allow Your peace to dwell within my whole heart, mind and soul for Your glory. Jesus, You are the Prince of Peace. Father, You are the King of Peace. Holy Spirit, You are Peace sent by God to dwell within us as the God of Peace. The One God dwells within us and we are Your children. Praise You, Holy Father for loving us and sending Jesus for us. It is too wonderful to comprehend fully. Open our eyes, hearts and minds to comprehend as much as humanly possible who You are and receive this gift of YOU. You give Yourself to us and do so generously. You even help us pray for what we need and then generously pour out Your blessings on us. How wonderful YOU are! You have answered the prayer of Jesus in John 17 where He asked for us to be one. We are now One in God because, You dwell within us. You have made me a Temple of God and You dwell within me at all times. You have made us Sons and Daughters of the God of Peace. In Christ we are One. Be glorified because of who You are and what You do within us and through us, as You sanctify us, as You make us Your Peacemakers. Amen.