Me and my sassy mouth

Peace. Still thinking on peace. Looking back at yesterday's verse, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since we as members of one body we were called to peace. Colossians 3:15, I realized that I didn't even touch on the later half of the verse. Arguably, the most important part, at that.

Get this.....rule means, "to act as an umpire, to arbitrate, decide, as deciding all matters in the hearts of believers; simply directing, controlling, ruling."

In other words, Let the peace of Christ act as an umpire, or call the shots, in your heart. Let the peace of Christ be the arbitrator, or decide all matters of your heart and control the seat of your emotions.

But here is the kicker. Peace is not a suggestion. Peace is a CALLING. We are called by the Living Word of God to live in PEACE. To be ruled by it.

To be CALLED by God means we are Divinely Summoned. Think on that. Let's piece this back together.

Let the Peace of Christ arbitrate, or be an umpire on the seat of your emotions, since as members of one body we were Divinely Summoned to live in peace or harmony.

I'm about to tell on myself - Jake Mesnick from The Bachelor said to Chris Harrison one night, "You've just gotta follow your heart, man. It's all we've got."

Well, just shoot me.

Heaven help us all if Becky Crenshaw just starts "following her heart." Follows her emotions. Do you know how unstable I would be?! How all-over-the-place my life would be?! The only way I need to be following my heart is if it is ruled by Christ!

But, I'll say this...Just because Jesus lives in my heart doesn't mean I keep Him on his throne. I am always schooching Him over and trying to sit my sassy bottom on it.

Follow your heart. Now, that will get you into trouble. The heart is a playground for too many raw emotions. Too much to sort through. Christ wants to rule it for us. Sweet Him. As if He hasn't done enough already. He wants to take all my stuff. All my baggage. All my hurt. All my anger. All my jealousy. All my pride. All my frustration. All my insecurities. And rule them. He wants to take charge. Call the shots.

So by golly, I'm gonna let Him.

Now, I'll say this call to peace is not easy, does not come natural nor will I bat 1,000. I am constantly having to die to myself. But Christ said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10. I want what he came to give me. A FULL LIFE. The only obstacle in having it is....me.

I am not proud to say that I am a "good fighter". I am quick and sassy and my words can be very hurtful. I can really munipulate. Jesus has done a HUGE work in me here. Lots of healing. Lots. But, in my own flesh, this is what I'm capable of doing. This is not living life to the full. Jesus died for my sassy mouth. I want what He came to give me - Peace. A Full Life. So one choice at a time, I am living out this calling of peace. One choice at a time.

Be blessed.