The link between Faith and Peace

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you."  Isaiah 26:3

 One of my favorite little devotionals is a book entitled  Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.  If you haven't ever heard of it, it is a daily devotional written from the perspective of Jesus.  Based in scripture, each day presents a couple of Bible verses written as if Jesus were calling you into His presence.  Sarah has done an excellent job with this devotional.  Every time I read it I think about Him, I pray to Him, and I praise Him.  It has given me such a better understanding of how much He loves me.  Often, I read it at night before I go to sleep.

I read the entries just about every day this week.  God used one in particular to really speak to me.  When I really consider all that is involved in our upcoming move, my heart and mind can easily be filled with anxiety.  I am a planner.  I want things fixed, planned, and set in stone way before the actual date of their occurrance.  I don't like unknowns.  When I am choosing to live in my own strength and understanding, worry can easily set in.  I also don't like change too much.  I am a person who likes to settle somewhere.   Frankly, I like Texas and the thought of leaving all that is home can sometimes be overwhelming.  I have even found myself blaming God and others for all the recent changes in my life.  But all of this doesn't last for long, because I know that worrying does me NO good whatsoever, and I am denying God the chance to really bless me with His presence and peace.  And usually, when He brings change or a different season in our life, He is wanting to use us in a deeper and different way.  He is wanting to grow us and deepen our trust in Him.  He is wanting to reveal to us that He is EVERYWHERE and is working in the lives of people outside our comfort zone.  God is into taking us out of our comfort zones!  AND, we can have peace in the process--if we trust Him.  So, the entry from May 26th really spoke to me.


"In a world of unrelenting changes, I am the One who never changes.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.  Find in Me the stability for which you have yearned.

I created a beautifully ordered world:  one that reflected My perfection.  Now, however, the world is under the bondage of sin and evil.  Every person on the planet faces gaping jaws of uncertainty.  The only antidote to this poisonous threat is drawing closer to Me.  In My Presence you can face uncertainty with perfect Peace."

When I read the last two words of the entry, "perfect Peace,"  I immediately thought of Isaiah 26:3-4. 
"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.  Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal."

I also thought about the scripture "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

So, no matter what changes come our way, whether it be moving to a different state, or a change in relationships, job, church...whatever it may be--JESUS CHRIST is the same!  He never changes!  He is our Rock Eternal--not our "sand for a few days here and there."

The Isaiah scripture reminded me yet again that when I am focusing on circumstances rather than God, I WILL NOT HAVE PEACE!  If my thoughts are focused on blaming others--or even God--then I will not have peace.  If my thoughts are focused on the "what if's"  I definitely will NOT have peace.
I have been so guilty of all of these things in the past, and to a small degree recently.  But, amazingly through this particular change, for the most part, my mind has been steadfast and I have chosen to trust God.  He has proven Himself faithful so many times.  I cannot deny this and choose to worry and doubt.

This is hard for us as humans.  We tend to think about everybody and everything but God when we are facing a crisis.  Sure, we GO to God in prayer and beg him to change the situation, but do we just stop and think on HIM and Him alone?   I have to admit, I don't do that enough.  In other words, we need to clear our minds of what we are worrying about and just focus on Jesus! 

He is the Alpha and Omega!  Our lives are made up of many beginnings and endings.  In fact, this week began what I call, "The first of the lasts."  In other words, the first of the "goodbyes" to our way of life here in Texas.  Caroline had her last week of school at Holy Spirit Episcopal in Houston.   She had made many friends this year, and we became very fond of her teachers through the months.   As one of her teachers brought her to the car, she (Mrs. Daniel) began to tear up.  This, of course, immediately made me tear up!  I realized how much I loved that school.  It was such a safe place for Caroline, and at one time, I had hoped she'd be there all the way through her middle school years.  I began to remember this and my stomach clinched a little and my eyes filled with tears as I realized we wouldn't be coming back.

But, just as soon as I started to allow those negative thoughts in...God reminded me of what I had read the day before.  He never changes.  "Cling to me, Kristin.  I never change.  My presence is always here and available to you, no matter what school Caroline attends.  Think on Me."

I know there are many "lasts" ahead for us.  Next month, we will say goodbye to the wonderful people and friends we have made at Tallowood.  This was a church that I had at one time hoped our children would grow up.  It was the perfect place---according to the Kristin Hightower plan.  But you know what, God has other plans.  He has plans that will, in the end, be better than I could have dreamed--if I trust Him and obey.  Also in the coming weeks, we will say goodbye to many of the students at SHSU.  We are planning to have them in our home for a time of sharing and parting.  This will be tough.  We love them so much.  They are our life's calling, and they have been such a blessing to us. We will also have to say goodbye to our very best friends--who live just a few miles from us now.  Ugh.  I don't look forward to that.  Then, in July, there will come a time when we have to say goodbye to our families.  Oh my...it just gets harder and harder!  I don't even want to think about it!

But really, in the coming weeks, I know that God has called me to think on Him.  When I have chosen to think on Him, I have had peace.  I have even had peace when I haven't placed my focus on Him.  What grace.    I know that I will need reminding of these verses once we move.  As we end this season of our lives in Texas and begin a new one in Iowa, I have to remember that He never changes.  I can depend on Him, no matter what.  If I call out to Him, He is there.  Even if I can't "feel" His presence, He is there, and He will be there in Iowa, helping us each step of the way.  And, he will be here in Texas, helping our friends and family as we are apart from them for the time being.

"I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world."  John 16:33

I'll close with the entry from May 29.

"I am with you, watching over you constantly.  I am Emmanuel (God with you); My Presence enfolds you in radiant Love.  Nothing, including the brightest blessings and the darkest trials, can separate you from Me....I know precisely what you need to draw nearer to Me.  Go through each day looking for what I have prepared for you.  Accept every event as My hand-tailored provision for your needs.  When you view your life this way, the most reasonable response is to be thankful.  Do not reject any of My gifts; find Me in every situation."

 Wow.  Jesus is our Peace.  Jesus has experienced every temptation we have, but was without sin.  Jesus knows our pain and suffering.   He knows our joys and sorrows.  Every change in life that He brings--even difficult changes, can be gifts from Him.  We must cast all our cares upon Him--because He cares for us.

One thing Allen and I are confident of in this new place is that God is going to use us.  We have a strong conviction and confidence that he has prepared us for this next step.  All of the events,  circumstances, and people he brought into our lives leading up to this move have prepared us for what He is about to do.   We feel a divine calling to the students at Luther College.  This doesn't mean things will be easy.  We will have to trust God every step of the way.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths."  Proverbs 3:5-6.
 Trust Him, don't trust your own feelings or understanding of a situation.  In everything you do, acknowledge Him.  Talk to Him.  Praise Him.  Cry out to Him.  He will direct your paths.

Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!....Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 
Tell God everything you are feeling.  Be honest about your anxiety.  Ask Him and request of Him.  In the midst of all that, offer Him praise for who He is and what He is doing in your life.  When we lay it all at His feet and trust Him, He will give us peace.  He gives us a peace that we cannot understand--but it is  there.  This peace guards us against the negative thoughts and flaming arrows that Satan wants to fill our mind with.  When our mind is stayed on Christ, worry and anxiety flee, because His peace guards us.

What wonderful promises!

 Please partner in prayer with us.  Pray that, through this transition and start of a new season in our lives, we will keep our minds steadfast and trust Him.  We will be praying that for all our friends and family as well.

May the Peace of Christ be with you all,

Kristin