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Finding Peace in Chaos - Sharing What We Received

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This article is part of a series on finding peace in everyday chaos. It may be better to start from the beginning.

Something was different about my friend. He had always had a calm demeanor, even back in college, but this was different. We had not seen each other for a long time and spontaneously arranged lunch to catch up.

My friend had a quiet way of directing the conversation back to what was happening in my life. He didn’t interrupt—a habit I’ve long struggled to kick—and listened rather than planning what he was going to say next. He had a noticeable lack of the social awkwardness that comes from thinking we are the most interesting person in the conversation

Eventually, he shared how much more seriously he was taking his faith. That explained it. What I noticed was the side-effect of someone who was on a regular diet of encountering God.

The last step on the path of finding peace in everyday chaos is sharing what we have received. Everyone is called to share the graces God gives, from busy parents to cloistered monks who live hidden away from the world.

Genuine love of God leads to love of neighbor. It’s possible to be selfish with the graces we receive, but it’s unlikely that we’re using those graces as intended and equally unlikely that we will receive them much longer.

Sharing what we have received takes many forms. Here are a few examples.

Charity

Encountering God is a purifying experience. Purity, in this case, means less attraction to things that aren’t God. At the same time, He tries to show us that the good things we enjoy are free gifts from Him.

These two realities working together lead to a desire to share what we have been given without fear that we will be left destitute. That’s charity.

Are your attractions to material things weakening? What do you cling to because you’re afraid that losing it will make you too vulnerable? Have you talked about this with God in prayer?

Unconditional Love

Most of us are conditioned to think we earn love through what we do or say. We learn to show love in the same way. When people do what we want, we reward them with affection. When they upset us, we make sure they know it.

As we encounter God, we experience something new. God is firm in pointing out my mistakes and calling me to do better, but He never stops loving me. Even as He takes my hand and walks me through my most shameful mistakes He makes it clear that we are doing this to heal me, not to embarrass me.

This unconditional love is meant to flow into the world through us. As we experience acceptance of our weaknesses, we are to accept and love others in theirs.

Why does God love you? Does He only love you when you’re good or follow some set of rules? In prayer, try asking what unconditional love looks like.

Simplicity

God has done cool stuff. Modern miracles have been worked and ancient wonders are well recorded in scripture. Yet, He prefers quiet in the heart. That seems to be His favorite.

Encountering God draws our attention away from ourselves. Life becomes less about how circumstances affect our convenience. As we experience acceptance in prayer, we need less validation and attention from others. If we’re good enough for God then we have nothing to prove to anyone else.

The gossip and slander—which doesn’t end in middle school—become less appealing. We don’t need to pull anyone else down to raise ourselves up. Conversations become about the person we’re with rather than trying to direct attention to ourselves.

God is simple, not dramatic. So are His disciples.

Who is the most important person in a conversation, you or the person you’re speaking with? Do you look for flaws in others or call attention to your virtues to validate yourself? Do you bring tranquility to the room or do you stir up drama?

Evangelization

This word frightens many sincere Christians. We’re terrified of being accused of pushing our faith on anyone. Our beliefs are not a product to be sold or a cult to be joined. We feel uncomfortable trying to talk someone into having a personal belief.

Evangelization doesn't have to look like that. Imagine you found a way to become fantastically wealthy and others could, too, without depriving you in any way. Why wouldn’t you want to share?

As we encounter God and experience His peace, it's natural to want others to receive healing and a relationship with Him. Evangelization starts with living as a Christian in the world and walking with anyone seeking the truth. It doesn’t have to be scary.

Do you believe others would be happier if they encountered God more deeply? Do you authentically live your faith, without being showy, so others may be drawn to it? In prayer, ask God for a desire to help others have the peace you’ve been given.

Conclusion

Freely we have received and freely we are to give (see Mt 10:8). We are salt meant to flavor the world. We are shining lamps meant to give light to others (see Mt 5:13-16).

The last step in finding peace in everyday chaos is sharing what we have received.

Thank you for going through this series with me and may God bless us on our journey!
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