Peace can be kind of elusive this time of year. Christmas is upon us. Parties and gatherings fill our calendars. Shopping, wrapping and shipping squeeze in open moments. Decorating and baking wait patiently to be done. Each year I try to streamline the process, believing if I plan properly and try to eliminate stressors, less joy will be robbed of me and more peace will follow. However, this is rarely how it unfolds.
Peace is not going to arrive by better planning, less people or even in the mail. It is natural for us to feel that peace is directly connected to the ebb and flow of the good and bad we encounter, because our thoughts and emotions are often reactions to our encounters. However, real peace is discovered outside our circumstances and situations. This peace is defined in Ephesians 2, where we are told that Jesus, Himself, is our peace.
When we are in relationship with Christ Jesus, things look different. He extends the offer for us to anchor ourselves to Him so the things of life rattle us less.
Characteristics of a life without peace:
· Fear is ever-present, causing great unrest.
· Doubt plagues every choice we make, because we are guessing.
· Distrust resides in our relationships.
Characteristics of a life with peace:
· Joy is present, as we can rest in the assurance of who He is and what He has done for us.
· Security prevails as we embrace the acceptance and love He freely gives us.
· Hope fills us and we can share it with others, for we know He has won victory over it all.
He offers us His peace. (John 14:27) He knows this world is full of trouble and it can cultivate fear, if we lack hope. Peace is meant to rule and guard our hearts and minds. (Colossians 3:15 &Philippians 4:7) As we learn His truth, we set it above the things of this world as a rule and a guard. We will encounter difficult times—some just stressful and others trying. However, with the peace Christ offers to us, we walk in joy and assurance instead of fear and doubt.
As we enter another week of Advent, nearing Christmas, let’s receive the peace He is offering to us.
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