Skip to main content

The Gift of Peace

                Peace is a word that is used a lot at this time of year.  We sing “Silent night” and talk about the coming “Prince of Peace”.   We give out cards that speak of peace on earth and we hope for a little peace and quiet during our time off. 
                Why is it, then, that Christmas is one of the most stressful times of the year?  More to the point, why do so few of us live peaceful lives at any time of the year?  What can we do?  Here are a couple of thoughts to consider. 
                First, we need to realize that peace is a gift that we can give to ourselves.  I know it sounds odd in our constantly outraged, social media fuelled world, but the fact is that you do not have to be upset about everything.  Not everything is crusade!  Getting upset, especially if you have no ability to make the situation better, only harms you.  You can choose to let things go.  You can choose peacefulness.
                Secondly, we must remember that peace is something to receive.  It is a gift from God.  Some things in your life cannot be fixed by you.  Feelings of loss, loneliness, betrayal, abandonment, insecurity, unworthiness, fear or failure will not likely change much regardless of how much you talk them out, reason them through or stuff them down.  The only answer is to give them over to someone who can heal them.
                We know this in other areas of life.  If you have a bad knee, no amount of exercise, effort or determination on your part will make it better.  Healing only happens when you put yourself in the hands of a surgeon who can take out the bad parts and replace them with something good. 
Similarly, spiritual and inner peace does not come from trying harder.  Rather it is found when we realize that, though none of us are perfect, God loves us anyway.  In fact, he loved us so much that he sent his son to die for us (John 3:16-17).  If we let him, he can heal us.
                Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you… Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
                May you find, and give, the gift of peace this season.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

New Article: Grace Changes Everything

               A young man broke into a business and did $5000 damage. As part of his Restorative Justice sentence, he was required to meet with my friend Garth.   Garth believes in making apologies and restitution.   It took several months, but Garth finally convinced the young man that these were necessary steps, so he tried to arrange a meeting with the business owner.                The business owner wanted nothing to do with this situation.   He was angry and wanted a more severe form of justice.   Eventually, however, he agreed to meet the young man to hear what he had to say.                  The young man looked the business owner in the eye an...
Post a Comment
Read more

New Article: Navigating the New Year

                 As we begin another new year, I cannot help but think of Joshua.   Moses had been leading God’s people to the promised land.   However, just before they arrived, Moses died, and Joshua was put in charge.   Faced with the uncertainty of what was coming, God gave him the following advice.                “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be stron...
Post a Comment
Read more

New Article: We need a Better Scorecard

                   “Is that a Sun Ice?”                “Excuse me,” I said.                My friend pointed to my new ski jacket and asked again, “Is that a Sun Ice?”                It was 1991 and Sun Ice was the big name in ski wear at the time.   “No” I replied, “I can’t afford one of those”.                “Oh” he said as he lost interest and then just walked away.                I had not seen this friend in more than a year and, sadly, his first ...
Post a Comment
Read more