By: Pastor Jarren Rogers

“A great many people are trying to make peace, but that has already been done. God has not left it for us to do; all we have to do is to enter into it.” 

– Dwight L. Moody

I made a life-changing discovery this past week. My hope and prayer is that by sharing it in this medium, your life, too, can be changed. 

Here it is: Starbucks accepts mobile orders. 

No more waiting in line. No more sitting in the drive-thru behind a million other cars. Now, whenever you wake up, punch in your order on your phone and set the time you want to pick it up. Then, on your way to work, simply stop in at your nearest Starbucks and pick your drink up from the counter and walk out!

No ordering. No waiting. Just walk in and pick it up. It’s just that simple.

I think there is a similar life-changing discovery that can be found in our spiritual lives.

While we aren’t always seeking a coffee beverage, we are usually always seeking something – peace, comfort, encouragement, joy, patience, wisdom, love. It’s difficult to look at this list and not admit that we could use more of one of these (or all of these) things.

We are so eager to find these things, but too often we end up looking in the wrong places. We seek joy in distraction and sin. We look for love in humans that always let us down. We try to find comfort in food or material possessions. We read books or seek advice in order to find the wisdom we need. But, we never find it and if we do it never lasts. 

It is as if we are sitting in the drive-thru line waiting for joy to be handed over to us. Or we are waiting in line so that we can receive the encouragement that we so desperately need. 

But the fact of the matter is that these things that you need are readily available. You don’t have to wait in the drive-thru or stand in line. All you have to do is ask for it and go and get it. 

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).

“The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace” (Psalm 29:11).

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

God wants to impart upon you peace, joy, comfort, love, encouragement, joy, patience, and wisdom, but we are looking in the wrong place. Seek Him. Abide with Him. Pray to Him. Ask Him. It is there that these things are found, and they are readily available to you through the power of the Spirit.

Now that is life changing.