Anyone who has watched baseball lately knows how much effort goes on to determine if a runner is out or safe. The umpire makes the initial call. If the play is close, the manager of the fielding team has the choice twice a game to ask for more help on instant replay. Whether Out or Safe many times is determined in fractions of an inch. A ballgame is determined by “out” or “safe” calls.
The word, UMPIRE, originates from a Greek word that is found in Colossians 3:15 which states, “Let the peace of Christ rule (be the umpire) in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.” Let the peace of God be the umpire of your heart especially when the issue is a relationship…The Lord focuses on how we love and care for each other. If you are not at peace in your life, YOU ARE OUT! If you are at peace in your heart, YOU ARE SAFE! No instant replays are needed…God sees all clearly.
Two other verses in scripture will make this come alive even more. Philippians 4:6&7 challenges us to “6 Not worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” In other words, when you live “peacefully” according to scripture, YOU ARE SAFE! When not, YOU ARE OUT! God does not want you anxious.
You may want to know how to live “SAFELY.” As stated above, first, constantly turn EVERYTHING over to God. Then, the Apostle Paul gives us a checklist. If you choose your thoughts to be guided by this checklist you will enjoy “peace” or “SAFENESS”. Place a “S” if you currently are “fixing your thoughts” (Philippians 4:8) on what the Bible says you should or “N” if you do not. If you place an “N” in even one of the below questions, get rid of that thought…it is not glorifying to God and will not produce peace in your life:
Is it True? ___
Is it Honorable? ___
Is it Right? ___
Is it Pure? ___
Is it Loving? ___
Is it Respectful? ___
Is it Excellent? ___
Is it worthy of Praise? ___
If you want to live in peace, stop and take an inventory of your thoughts several times a day per the above checklist. Philippians 4:9 says, “Put these things into practice and the God of peace will be with you.” You will be called “SAFE” and will enjoy peace! If not, you will be called “OUT” and will live a life full of anxiety.
Barnabas Man 