Peace is Coming

 

Hard to believe it is the first Sunday of Advent, 2022!  This year has flown by (as the years seem to do as I get older).  As I reflected on the impact for this Advent season, the word peace came upon my heart repeatedly.  Peace seems to be a word, a feeling, that has been remiss in the world today.  Between different country conflicts, conflicts within country boundaries, financial challenges, and the stress of everyday living, peace seems to be far away. 

Therefore, I thought that a focus on peace for four weeks may help us to look at our lives in a different way, to feel the peace that God had in mind for us.  This verse, from the Old Testament book of Isaiah, prophesizes about the coming of Jesus.  It is here that we see the plan God has for His Son in our world.  The names of Jesus!  I love this verse – the comfort that the words bring – Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Even before Jesus arrived on Earth, God knew what He would bring to us – peace!  Jesus was coming to bring the peace that we are incapable of bringing to ourselves.  Our lives can seem anything but peaceful – filled with the daily activities that take peace away from our soul.  The good news is that when we turn ourselves away from those daily activities, even for brief moments throughout the day, and focus on Jesus, the peace that ONLY He can provide can envelop us.  The peace can pour over us, the peace can rush into our souls and our hearts, the peace can keep us moving through our lives with hope. 

When the days get hectic and we aren’t sure where to go next, let’s stop.  Let’s close our eyes, fold our hands, and talk to Jesus.  Let’s ask for His peace, the peace that only the Prince of Peace can provide.  Simple faith can take hold of that peace that God told us would enter our lives.  May Christmas Peace Last All Year!

Prince of Peace, help us to search for you when life gets hard.  May the peace that only you can provide shower over us with hope and joy.  Amen!