“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” _____Romans 12:18

It’s time again to select a verse to live by for the month of November. Actually, I had trouble deciding between two, so I’ll add the other, also. They seem to be related.

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you.” _____1 Thessalonians 4:11

Someone wrote in a book that to have real peace and freedom in the world we must reduce  the number of people in our lives that we depend on. If you think about it, you’ll probably find a little bit of truth in that statement. Clearly there would be less chance for disagreements or irritations if we lived on a deserted island all by ourselves, but that’s not me, and I doubt it is you, either.

I really like people; I enjoy being around them, sharing opinions, hearing about their lives, showing them my latest artwork (I couldn’t resist!), playing games like “Clue”, (which our grandson, Gavin, at age 9 never failed to beat me playing), taking trips together,  keeping in touch and making plans to see them again. We need each other….for fellowship, love, spiritual growth, buying and selling our products or services, whatever they may be. Our lives are intertwined and that is wonderful, isn’t it?

However, right in the middle of all this “intertwining” is our human nature……..with its selfishness, covetousness, impatience, ego, on and on the list goes. Disagreements, hurt feelings, arguments, imagined slights, and critical attitudes will show up. Sooner or later!

We quickly realize that we need some advice, some guidelines, some wisdom to live by.  Our Lord has always been way ahead of us in knowing what we will need. He has given us His Holy Word with instructions for righteous living and strength to “be at peace with everyone”. It’s up to us to believe His Word, and to use it.

‘Til He Shouts!