Standing in a Safe Space

What kinds of things have you been taught about spiritual maturity over the years?  Have you experienced the application of guilt during a lesson, implying we are selfish or lacking in conviction or character because our lives do not reflect how great our God is, or how much he has given us? Have you experienced a kind of peer pressure to somehow measure up to some kind acceptable level of spiritual maturity, maybe even implying that one cannot have spiritual maturity without emotional maturity? Has anyone else been taught these things over the years, and if so, how did you feel about it? 

God loves us just as we are. If he didn’t, he never would have sent his son to sacrifice himself for everyone’s sins, present, past and future; they are all fully paid for. We don’t need to do anything other than accept that gift humbly, admitting our need, to have a place in the kingdom of God. Our long-term plans are covered. This is the truth that is the safe space to stand, whatever else may be taught, whatever else we read, all things must agree with this simple fact or we should question its validity. So, in a spiritual sense, our lives on earth are all short-term plans. However much we may grow, serve, give, forgive others, all have no effect on our final destination. Why would God give us a free pass like that? 

I think it's because he knows people better than we could ever know ourselves. He knows that our sinful nature keeps us from peace. Think about a small boat afloat in a storm. Just as wind and waves can rock it precariously, so too can fear and doubt about the future have people crouch in the bottom of their “boat”, not able to take any kind of positive action while its rocking. Now compare that to a boat on still water, waves gently lapping against the sides. Peace fills a person; quiet introspection can happen. They can feel confident to move about their “boat” to start repairs, try new things and make different decisions than they have in the past. Many people go fishing for just this effect, to sit on the still water and be at peace. The boat holds them in a safe place, floating, away from all the distractions of the world. Now let’s compare that to our relationship with God. 

What if we simply go to him as the place for peace beyond understanding, non-conditional, nothing we need to do but to go be with him? What if we waited for that peace to fill us, sooth us, heal us, sitting quietly, expecting nothing more? What if we had no agenda, just be with him in his peace? Like a boat rocking gently in quiet waters, our father wants to comfort and heal us, as we come to  his safe space. Long term, that’s all we really need, the peace of knowing all is provided for.  

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14: 27 

Let our hearts not be troubled by all the things we have not done yet, all our short comings, other people’s expectations, all our current struggles and suffering. God never treats us as the world does. He has provided everything for our long-term future; he is here, within us to sustain and guide us through the short term, our lives on earth. May our faith in him release us from the world’s perspective, trusting him to give us the strength to go, to do, to speak as his spirit calls us, guides us. We can trust in his grace to forgive our failures, redeem our mistakes, heal our hearts and eventually become the person he made us to be. God’s instructions to follow him all start with peace. Let’s not rush through that part, but return to it throughout the day, beginning with being filled and returning to be refilled, trusting him to lead our steps regardless of the noise of the world around us, moving through our lives inside his peace. 

It is Well With My Soul 

When peace like a river attended my way 

When sorrows like sea billows roll 

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say 

It is well, it is well, with my soul 

It is well (it is well) 

With my soul (with my soul)

 It is well, it is well with my soul  

Tho’ satan should buffet, tho’ trials should come 

Let this blest assurance control 

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate 

And hath shed his own blood for my soul 

Chorus 

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought 

My sin, not in part but the whole 

Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more 

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, oh, my soul 

Chorus 

And Lord haste the day when my faith shall be sight 

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll

 The trumpet shall sound and the Lord shall descend 

Even so, it is well with my soul