"Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." Psalm 34:14
I have loved this Psalm for a long time, but for the past few days I have been reading it and really trying to digest everything in it. There is so much I think I could dwell on each verse for weeks. For today, I want to tell you about this one.
These seem like such simple commandments...for believers and not. I think I have gotten the first part for a long time. At least that's what I tell myself. I've always been the "good girl" who chose to hang around with the crowd who doesn't get into much trouble. I've never really been the type of girl you would say who hangs out and does "evil" necessarily...at least in the world's eyes. I also have always been the one who wanted everyone to get along. I never understood why when having 10 friends who were girls I had to hang out with them in packs because some didn't like the others. I never understood why my mom and I had huge fights during my teen years (like any teenager and her parents) and why the neighbors were so mean when we were the new kids. I never understood things like war and famine. Those are just silly examples, but overall I always wanted everything to be peaceful. On the surface, I'm a kind hearted girl who defnitely follows this not-so-simple command.
You see, the problem here is with my heart. I can put on a good show for the world to see so that I fall into the category with those who are "good people" (whatever that means) and who likes everyone to get along. The problem is my heart is evil. It doesn't just do evil, it is evil. Everything within me wants to reject the truth of the Gospel and live my life as if it isn't real. Even though I say I want to seek peace I find my heart wanting to know the dirt on the person sitting next to me whether it's a concious decision or not.
What a conviction this simple commandment brings! To turn from evil and do good is to live as Jesus lived. It is to choose with every decision to be as He was. To seek peace is to want it, but to pursue it is to have it. It is time to live like Jesus died for my sins and the sins of others and like He is coming back to get us! The gospel isn't something that should change my life the day I first believe in Christ, it is something that should shape every second of my life as a believer. I want to be the light of Christ to others. I want to truly turn from evil and do good. I want to not only seek peace, but to pursue it day in and day out. Some days are better than others as I know each of you have experienced. I am so thankful for a God who died for me knowing I would go a lifetime and never really get it right. I'm thankful for a Gospel that saves every day.
Today is one of those days that I pray: Come Jesus come. Come quickly. Come quickly.
