Grace and peace to you from God our Father

Bedtime finds me climbing into bed in the cold of January's chill, in not only my pajamas, but also my robe.  Last night Jim had a stocking cap on with his long underwear to sleep in.  Ma and Pa Ingalls.


I smiled a laugh and it felt so good.


I've been reading Colossians at bedtime for the last bit.  It soothes me these weeks to end the day as I begin it; in the Word.


Steeping in Scripture is something I not only love and long for, I also know it is essential.  Necessary.  Vital.  We are created to crave our Creator.

"The Bible was written not to be studied, but to change our lives."

- Dr. Howard Hendricks

I sat on that for a long time.  Chewed over it.  

I love studying God's Word.  Love it in a deep-seated hungry way.  I feel at loose ends when I'm not pouring into Scripture.  

And.

Studying isn't meant for gnosis (head knowledge) alone.  No, not at all.  The Lord give us His Word to illuminate our hearts and connect them to Him through our minds.  Epignosis.  The gathering of treasure in order to line up our heads and our hearts.  God's Word sealed in our lives.  

The Word never disappoints.  

"the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."  - Hebrews 4:12


Oh, how I need that.  To line myself up with Truth.  To let God sort and sift and order.  


Last night as I opened to Colossians again, I turned back to the beginning and reread the first chapter.  Okay, really all I got to was the second verse:


Grace and peace to you from God our Father


God's grace and peace.  The peace of Christ.  The grace of God.  


Grace and peace.


Peace and grace.


The peace of God: so different than the peace of the world.  Peace despite circumstances.  Peace that rules the heart and mind, even if life is bringing a sea of turmoil or confusion.  Knowing that you are held and God is with you even when.  


Strong's concordance describes biblical peace as this:
EIRENE- peace

5) of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is

Grace: the unmerited favor of the Lord which gives us the ability to press on, keep on, persevere.  Grace to draw near and find comfort and hope.  Grace to lean on.   Grace to cover me and hold me in.  


Strong's concordance reckons it this way:
CHARIS

2) good will, loving-kindness, favour

a) of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues

3) what is due to grace

a) the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace

My middle name, Ann, means grace.  And while I don't know that the name describes me well, it is apt.  I need God's grace.  Every day.  I've received God's grace in great measure.  More than I can count would I lie in bed and add it up for the rest of my days.


Peace and grace I longed for last night.  And God came.  His Word lit my heart aflame in the slow melt that satisfies as no other.


World weary and heavy laden by things I'd even piled on myself, I needed peace and grace.


Quietly my eyes stopped at Colossians 1:2.  A mere line.  Nine small words.


But the Lord.


I marinated in that Word from the Lord.  And it became truth for the moment.  Truth for my moment and my day. A light to my heart and my path.


God changes everything.  


Writing all this out is me preaching to myself.  This post is an exhortation to Sara.  Truth for the way.  


 Today I walked with these lyrics circling in my head, round and round.  What solace.


It Is Well With My Soul by Horatio G. Spafford, 1873

1. When peace, like a river, attendeth 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.
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2.