Good morning…
Jesus promises, “…in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]” (John 16:33, AMP). As I read this passage, one word sparkles in a brand new way. The word “may” is illuminated in my heart’s eye. Jesus says, “…in Me you may have perfect peace.”
I think of a game we used to play as kids: “Mother may I?” In this childhood game, we would choose someone to be in charge as the Mother. The Mother would turn around on the highest step of our neighbor’s porch, hearing our actions in the front yard but not seeing our movement. We would each take turns calling out, “Mother may I… take three giant steps?” Or “two long jumps?” Or “one forward roll?” If the Mother replied, “Yes you may,” we would be granted permission to inch closer to the Mother. If one of us was reaching the Mother too quickly, the Mother might reject our request, replacing it by a different directive. “No, you may not, but you may… take five steps back.” Or “walk backward until I say ‘stop.'” Or “return to the starting line.” Whoever got to the Mother first won the game.
Why do I explain to you the rules of this childish game? Because it reminds me of what Jesus is saying in this passage of scripture. If we choose to put God in the power position as Mother and we ask, “Mother may I have perfect peace?” God will answer, “Yes, in Me you may have peace.” If we ask, “Mother may I have confident courage?” God will answer, “Yes, in Me you may have courage.” If we ask, “Mother may I have undaunted joy?” God will answer, “Yes, in Me you may have joy.” If we choose to put “the world” in the power position as Mother and we ask, “Mother may I have perfect peace?” The world will say, “No you may not, instead you may be overwhelmed by your tribulation.” If we choose to put “our circumstances” in the power position as Mother and we ask, “Mother may I step into confident courage?” Our circumstances will say, “No you may not, instead you may flounder in great distress.” If we choose to put “our feelings” in the power position as Mother and we ask, “Mother may I experience undaunted joy?” Our feelings will say, “No you may not, instead you may struggle in your suffering.”
Jesus says, “In Me, your conquest over the pain of this world is already accomplished. In Me, victory over your life circumstances is already won. In Me abide, remain, and together we will overcome every challenge you face today.”
Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing (John 15:4-5, AMP).
…Sue…
P.S. Several of you have asked about the outcome of yesterday’s cancer scans for my dear friend’s daughter. Unfortunately, the scans revealed that this brave girl, turning eleven years old next month, has relapsed, her cancer has returned after five and a half years. Please pray that this faithful family will remain in God and that God will remain in them, bearing much fruit from their vital union.
