Day 18: by Juno Smalley
When I think about peace, I’m reminded of the tension of our reality when we read “The angels proclaimed, ‘Peace to all men and women on earth who please him." -The Message, Luke 2:14
These last few months have been a painful reminder that our world is not at peace. Many marriages and many relationships are not at peace. Yet, we are told Jesus offers us the gift of peace and we walk around bumping into painful life experiences that are anything but peaceful.
Something is not right… but maybe that something is us? Maybe in our desire to give gifts to one another (as God gave us the gift of Jesus), maybe in the efforts to surprise someone, to ‘make it the best Christmas ever,’ we have put Jesus and his desire to be Lord of our life at arm’s length. Have we short-changed ourselves for the gift of peace? We have exchanged our desire to be in control for a peace that passes all understanding...Maybe!
These last few months have been a painful reminder that our world is not at peace. Many marriages and many relationships are not at peace. Yet, we are told Jesus offers us the gift of peace and we walk around bumping into painful life experiences that are anything but peaceful.
Something is not right… but maybe that something is us? Maybe in our desire to give gifts to one another (as God gave us the gift of Jesus), maybe in the efforts to surprise someone, to ‘make it the best Christmas ever,’ we have put Jesus and his desire to be Lord of our life at arm’s length. Have we short-changed ourselves for the gift of peace? We have exchanged our desire to be in control for a peace that passes all understanding...Maybe!
Wednesday's Song
I’m convinced that for us to experience the peace the angels are proclaiming, we need to give up our control. We need to be still and allow God to work in our hearts and lives. This Advent season, maybe the gift you can give to yourself and others is to slow down and wait to allow God to speak to you in a new and fresh way. Click here and use this wonderful song as a prayer as you learn to wait on the Lord for your peace.
Wednesday's Prayer
Lord, as you know, tonight is Youth Group at the church. May you continue to bring our students closer to you and to one another. Thank you for Pastor Pauline, and her team, as they love and lead the students towards you. Help us as your church to work together in equipping parents to be the best they can be and to disciple their children. Thank you that the leaders have fun while taking their ministry seriously to help the students deepen their faith. Keep them all safe, Lord, and may you shine your light through them.
Lord, help me to wait patiently for you to continue to help me be a light for you. Give us wisdom in when to step in and when to lay low. Give us the courage to say no and when to proceed with new commitments. May our peace come from the reality of your love for us.
AMEN
Lord, help me to wait patiently for you to continue to help me be a light for you. Give us wisdom in when to step in and when to lay low. Give us the courage to say no and when to proceed with new commitments. May our peace come from the reality of your love for us.
AMEN
Posted in Advent Devotional 2022