Hebrews 12:14 “Therefore, then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses who have born testimony to the truth, let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance, and that sin which so readily clings to and entangles us”…How do we pursue peace when there’s so much chaos? The writer of Hebrews tells us to strive to live in peace with everybody… not just the people who agree with us, or just the ones we like. He calls us to pursue the consecration and holiness so that we can see the Lord. When he begins this chapter with ‘Therefore…’ and we look back to what he just told us, we see the people that have gone before us, the witnesses, the martyrs, the persecuted church… their focus was on the goal, the prize. The surrounding chaos and persecution caused unbelievable pain and suffering. But…Even in affliction, their focus was on the Promise… God’s Promise. When Jesus invited Peter to come to Him on the water, as he stepped out of the boat, Peter’s focus was on Jesus. Peter took a couple of steps until his focus on the storm took his gaze away, distracting him from the One Who told him to come. We have peace in chaos when we focus on Jesus and His Promise. In Hebrews 11, we see we aren’t the first ones to live in chaos, and we know we won’t be the last. We just have to remember not to get distracted by what’s going on around us, to remember Who is Trustworthy and Faithful, Who is Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient. We acknowledge His Sovereignty and nothing happens here without at first flowing through His fingers. And what is consecration and holiness if not us surrendering to Him, to be used by Him for His glory? We’re set apart, made holy by the One Who calls us by name, and tells us… ‘You are Mine!’ Thank you, Lord! Help us not to be distracted, help us to live in the ‘space’ where Faith overcomes Fear and Humility takes the victory over Pride.
