Music Monday: “Peace (A Choir Arrangement)” By Richard A Nichols
By: Debbie Waltz
Now that I’m back from the Carolina Christian Writers Conference, I feel a renewed sense of energy and inspiration. Although the event’s results weren’t what we initially anticipated, the numerous contacts made with publishers and the various alternative approaches taken led to a valuable and unique opportunity for me to personally reconnect with my writing coach and colleagues, whom I’d only previously interacted with remotely. Since I don’t have a publisher yet, it gives me hope that there are other avenues available if it turns out traditional publishing is not in the cards.
During the evenings, I have been enjoying the captivating audiobooks of C.S. Lewis’s renowned Chronicles of Narnia series. Although classified as just children’s literature, this series holds the key to understanding the foundations of faith with its childlike views on belief and trust in a benevolent creator who both believes in justice and mercy. Though fictionalized in the great character of Aslan, these characteristics are fundamental to Christianity. Because we can’t help one without the other. Why? God is holy and requires the same from us.
The Lord knows we can’t pay the price ourselves. That’s why He sent Jesus to serve as a substitute in our place. 2nd Corinthians 5:21 reminds us, “God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we may become the righteousness of God.” (NIV) Hebrews 2:14 reiterates the fact that we need a Savior that is both fully man and fully God to defeat death and the devil. That is the only way. It says,” Because God’s children are human beings – made of flesh and blood – the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.” (NLT).
As Christians, we have FAITH in our new relationship with Christ. Hebrews 11:1-3 states, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” (NIV). This faith is a response poured out of a thankful heart. But that doesn’t change our circumstances. For the time being, we still live in a fallen and broken world until the day Jesus returns or calls us home. We are still human prone to the same temptations as anyone else.
That’s why it’s essential that we always come back to God, pouring out our hearts to Him. 1 Peter 5:7 reminds us, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
This is not a one-and-done action but must be done daily, just like the renewing of our minds. For it is not our life we live, but Christ who lives within us. Galatians 2:20 states, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (NIV).
Richard A Nichols Choral arrangement and song can be accessed here:
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