Guarding Your Peace: The Hidden Key to a Life of Impact

One of my profound childhood memories growing up Kyanja, Kampala, was fetching our home use water from a well. It was an open well where we used a container to draw water and carefully poured into our Jerrycans. The same well however, is where herdsmen would take the cattle to drink in the noon time. This drinking session of the cattle would involve them stepping into the well and leaving it dirty from stirring up settled sediment on its shallow bottom. So, we had to go to the well either very early in the morning or later in the afternoon after the cattle had had their drink between 12pm and 2pm. From 4pm onwards the water would be settled and clean enough for us draw.

Comparing this well to our lives, similarly we cannot give our best when our souls are disturbed. Our media rich world together with inluencer culture are the metaphorical cattle that are constantly stirring up sediments of negative emotions from the wells that are our souls. The unrealistic expectations of consumerism and materialism set by influencer culture constantly focus us on chasing external validation which causes alot of anxiety, low self esteem, greed, envy and discontentment. These are the very emotions which when present, leave us unable to see our intrinsic value and therefore hindering us from being being creative about positive impact. Yet, scripture reminds us that we are created through Christ Jesus for good works (Epheians 2:10). When the wells of our souls are unsettled, those good works cannot flow freely. Peace is not just a personal luxury; it is the foundation for a purposeful and impactful life.

This constant peacelessness is also at the core of why it is hard for people to form healthy relationships, an ingredient that is very necessary in living an impactful life. See, when others come to relate with you and all they find is insecurity, fear, anger, manipulative tendencies and selfishness all from the unfiltered information you have allowed to intrude the waters of your attention, they find it difficult to form healthy bonds with you. Purpose is not lived in isolation; we need others. The question is, are you a well that draws others to yourself? Similarly are you clear headed enough to notice the clear wells that you need to drink from?

How then shall you protect your peace so that you can live a life of significance?

We were given an assurance of peace by Jesus when he said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27).

To stay in a constant relationship with our master who gave us peace and summoned us to continually go to him when we are weary and heavy laden so that He can give the rest that he promised will always be the ultimate way to protect the peace we ought not to lose. Here are the practical steps you can take regularly to stay connected;

• Pray daily

• Meditate on God's word

• Keep the company of equally peaceful people

• Regularly fast and pray

I hope this helps to restore your peace so you can be the best you can be.

Kellen.