To celebrate the opening of my small in-home ministry called The Shalom Studio, this summer I am doing a short weekly series on SHALOM (peace, wholeness) in all the main areas of our lives. I hope it is helpful to someone out there who likes a lot of freedom but also wants a checklist, too. (That’s 100% my style, for sure!)
First of all, we need shalom with God. Let’s not let it be complicated. Here are three basics of having shalom with God, beyond accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and giving your life to Him!
Be in the Word every single day, preferably doing a plan where you will know what to read, study, work on, daily. A great idea is The Bible Recap which is a chronological reading plan with any version you like, and then an 9 minute podcast that helps you understand it. I love TBR. Whatever you have been taught about “a quiet time”, any guilt you feel over that concept, remember God is not in a box. He is wanting to fill our minds and spirits with the best Life, through His Word. Things will still be hard, but we will have purpose, strength, and peace.
The main question is: Are you daily digesting and opening your heart to God’s Word?
Secondly, keep a gratitude journal and at least once a week (if not daily) jot down a few blessings you noticed. Begin to seek beauty and feel amazed again at God’s perfect timing, friends, and even the mundane parts of your schedule.
Are you living out Philippians 4:6-7 that says to present your requests to God with thanksgiving?
Thirdly, be in weekly community with other believers. The components of this should always include honest sharing, accountability, prayer together, meeting needs, serving, God’s Word, and fun!
Do you do these things alone? Do you always worship and sing to God alone? Do you understand and comprehend God’s Word alone? That used to be my tendency but I was missing out. Let’s not be afraid to risk differences of opinion or personalities. The Body of Christ is a huge part of relating to God and having shalom with Him.
