Finding Peace

He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

Perhaps one of the most dangerous things we face in our lives is idleness. What do we do with our time when there's not The Man watching over every minute on our clock and measuring our work? What are the things that occupy us when there's no one watching? These are the times when we need to learn to be quiet and listen for God's direction.

Myself, I'm a gamer. I play these really super complex simulation games. Running giant interstellar companies, Building complex factories, building communities and such. It is said (I don't know if he's said it himself) that Musk is a gamer and he learned the basics of planetary navigation by playing Kerbal Space program. Similarly, the game X4 (and its predecessors) helped me understand some key factors in large scale enterprise resource planning.

For me, it's a chance to think. To think about the problems I'm trying to solve, think about my family and things I want for them, how I want to grow and mature my kids. It's a respite, really meant to quell the storm in a mind that can never shut itself off.

It's also a dangerous drug.

I will say of the Lord, he is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Psalm 91:2

Addictions, in whatever form they take, become a seemingly safe escape from reality. I understand people who drink, overeat, do drugs, waist time in front of the TV. I understand addiction because I too am one of those people. It just so happens my drug of choice has a keyboard and (multiple) giant monitors.

The thing with addictions is that they waste our short time on this planet. Time we could be helping others, even time when we should be taking care of ourselves. These things separate us from God's Kingdom.

“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” James Clear

When I've read Psalm 91, I'm often drawn into the protections in this verse. They are comforting and encouraging.

Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. Psalm 91:3-8

Those are maybe the most powerful words of protection I can imagine, in a book filled with God's protections.

But THEN, there's that pesky word again.

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

We can say to ourselves that the Lord is our refuge, and boy is that easy in times of struggle. It was once said, "There's atheists in foxholes." So true.

But, what does the rest of it mean, to make the Most High your dwelling?

To me it means you make the communion of your inner most thoughts a direct conversation with the Holy Spirit that lives in you. My mom taught me that, but I really didn't get it until she had passed. Thank you, mother.

It means that you do the things you need to do around your house as if Jesus Christ and all the disciples were coming over for dinner. It means you attend to the needs of your parents, children and spouse as if you were attending to the ruler of the earth. It means you take care of your neighbor like the Amish take care of theirs. (If you're like me and you need some nagging now and then, well you've already been told to do this task at least eight times.) Because I'll tell you what, The Almighty is already right there for dinner every night, regardless of whether you choose to accept him into your life or not.

What ultimately brings us peace and fulfillment in life are these things. The other things we do that are NOT aligned with these simple instructions are ultimately a waste of time. Make the Most High your dwelling by living your life as if Jesus never left your side (because he won't) and then you'll light up Psalm 91.

Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91: 14-16

I had a dear friend once tell me she always had to put towels in the closet with the fold facing out. I was a little shocked and awed by that and didn't know what to say. And just the other day, another dear friend reminded me that while I may contemplate the horizon, my eyes need to focus on that very next step. Dad always tells me to use the right knives in the kitchen, not the one conveniently underhand. The habits we build up are not just good practices in self-discipline. However trivial they may seem they are the key to walking easily in the path of God's will. And when you bring that together with surrendering everything, including your very thoughts, over to Christ, that's when you're about to be blessed immeasurably.