I Only Work In Peace

I only work in peace. That’s a line from one of our most popular songs, “I Feel.” “I step out, walk the tight rope steadily, I only work in peace, let me, let me be myself.” Sometimes, I feel like it's a waste of time to journal, to "insplore," as J would say. Sometimes I don't want to take time out to spend with God or evaluate my life. But when I don't, my life essentially falls apart; what's the use of saving time not journalling when I'm incapable of being at peace without it? I only work in peace. This morning, against my better judgment, I wanted to just jump into work without thinking, praying, and planning my day… but it didn’t turn out so well.

Later, J and I were talking about some hard decisions we've had to make recently. About a month ago, I quit my job because I knew deep inside it was what I needed to do (and I'm so glad I listened to and followed God's voice in that!). J's had to make some similar decisions, and here are some truths that we realized about our lives in the process:

It's good to empathize and feel what other people do, but I can go beyond and know I don’t need to let it affect me when it shouldn’t. I am strong enough not to feel what other people feel, at least not to let it get me down.

I am above all attempts of others to manipulate my emotions.

I do not answer to man, but God

I obey God rather than men

I am not a slave. I am a Free Man!

I am free to work in peace

The best thing I can do for others is be the best J/Kay I can be. That may mean making choices other people won't understand, but it will be the BEST for them in the long run.

My decisions are paving the way to freedom for others, too. People around me will see how I live and desire that freedom from caring about what others think, too.

No living for the weekend! Life is too short. All time is precious. We hear God about every moment of our lives, because each one is precious.

Kids understand how precious every second is; adults often don't. Adults say, "I'll just put up with it for a little bit and then I can go back to what I think I'm supposed to be doing." Not true. We should ALWAYS be doing 100% what God wants us to be doing. It may be serving others; it may be taking care of ourselves, but God has a plan for each moment.

Planning is the first step to accomplishing things. Think time, soak time, planning time, are all priorities! Don't neglect them.

Peace and joy are the end for us, as well as a part of the process. Others work FOR peace and joy; we work OUT OF peace and joy.

We are rich kids; we are God's kids! We inherit joy. We inherit peace. It is ours, we have an abundance, and we work out of it.

Rich and successful people don't carry the emotional weight of others.