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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Personal Peace (06/01/06)
Did I hear you Say, “Let’s just Skip the Whole Thing?”

Do you have a favorite movie? I do. It’s about a friendship between a dog named Otis and a cat named by Milo. To really like this movie you must have a child’s heart to go along with your grown-up mind.

I know you may be wondering how writing centered on a cat and a dog could have anything to do with personal peace. Let me remind you Jesus used objects to teach great lessons. Now, if we can open your heart and mind and let the kid escape, we may enjoy the journey.

In our movie, it was a beautiful morning. As Otis marched down the road he was heard chanting, “Here comes the dog brave and strong and___________!” With the last word trailing off, the confident Otis fell into a deep hidden hole in the middle of the road. Crawling out, a bit tattered and torn, he muttered. “Let’s just skip the whole thing.”

I can’t guarantee you this morning will be beautiful, but you can know for sure there will be a hole or two out there waiting for you. It may even seem with every step forward you take; you fall into that hole with Otis. This is not a peaceful situation to find yourself in.

As I see it, we have some choices, and they are:
· We can stay in that hole.
· We can cry and scream and even curse the hole for being there.
· We can climb out of that hole defeated and just forget our dream.
· We can pretend it didn’t hurt as we limp on down the road.
· We can crawl out and retire-just live a remote life, free from others.
· We can, with God’s help, climb out; dust ourselves off; and be there
to help others when they fall down.

Often someone asks me to write about how to get out of a deep whole of anger or resentment or an unforgiving spirit. They have no peace. They are tired of screaming and yelling at the circumstances and the people responsible for the hole they are in. I’ve watched folks crawl in and out of holes for a heap of years. I have come to this conclusion: there is a difference between the Christian, who is the real thing, and the one who is a counterfeit (sometimes unknowingly) climbing out of holes. I think it all goes back to His words, “My peace I give you.”

Oswald Chambers in his devotion book, My Utmost for His Highest, says a real Christian, “Sees everything he is dumped down in as the means of securing the knowledge of Jesus Christ.” That is the beginning of our personal peace.

I believe there are five little words in Philemon 3:10 we could place on a banner and wave as we crawl out of the hole to continue on our way. They are simply, “That I may know Him.” You see, peace in the outcome of the right knowing, loving relationship with our Lord.

Oh, I forgot to tell you the name of the movie. It is “Milo and Otis”. Are there any of you out there who feel the same way about Milo and Otis, the holes of life and the knowledge of knowing Him as I do? If so, we need to get together. You bring the popcorn and I’ll bring the milk duds.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Lynda Schultz 
06/12/06
Excellent point. I think you and Oswald) are right on here: "a real Christian, “Sees everything he is dumped down in as the means of securing the knowledge of Jesus Christ.” Good job.