World peace. We all want it. But how do we get it?

Let’s be honest. There is a lot going on in the world around us that is simply beyond our control. We can, however, influence what is happening inside of us. When you think about it, what happens inside of us is our foundational contribution to what is happening outside of us.

Peace out there begins with peace in here. Or, put another way, if you want it out there, you need to start in here. And when I say “in here” picture me pointing at my own chest. It begins within.

Quite often we make the assumption that “fixing” things in the world are about approving policies, electing leaders, and taking certain kinds of action. Those things are important. But I invite you to think about this issue from another angle. Consider building blocks. The foundational level is your own soul. How things are going in our souls impacts how things are going in our households, which then impacts how things are going in our communities. After that there are governments and national events.

Working on the wellbeing of your soul actually contributes to the wellbeing of the world.

Do you want the God of peace to be with your soul? Great. Me too. Paul tells us to do some things which will help us accomplish that. As I quote him, keep in mind that everything he says is built on the assumption that you trust in the almighty and gracious God as revealed in Christ:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

We’re going to revisit this theme in tomorrow’s devotional as well. But for now, perhaps you might want to read that quote again. And when you come to the last sentence read it slowly.

“And the God of peace will be with you.”

Peace out there begins with peace in here.

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Notes:

–“How To Achieve World Peace: Step 1.” Sermon. November 10, 2024. Click here.

–Coming this Sunday, November 17, 2024 on ‘The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan’: “How do demons gain access to people?—a talk with Steve Dabbs,” the author of “When Demons Surface: True Stories about Spiritual Warfare and What the Bible Says about Confronting the Darkness.”

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.