Peace: Freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility. Mental calm; serenity. Freedom from or the cessation of war or violence. After reading the definitions of this beautiful word, it seems hard to believe that we associate "peace" with this time of year. Doesn't it sometimes feel like the complete opposite? The pressure we put on ourselves to check off every holiday tradition on our lists (which grows longer each year): shopping, wrapping, baking, traveling, parties, etc. can be overwhelming and the opposite of calm.
For some, this might be a time of year that feels hard to be free from disturbance due to strained relationships or painful memories. Still others (some in our own city) will still not experience freedom from war or violence that is their daily life.
But, God promises his peace to us this moment and always. Advent is a time for us to look for God's peace and serenity and directly contrast this to the chaos that the world uses to persuade us this time of year.
Oswald Chambers offers us this in our time of disturbance: "Are you looking unto Jesus now, in the immediate matter that is pressing and receiving from Him peace? If so, he will be a gracious benediction of peace in and through you." When we are at peace, we are able to reflect God's peace and calmness to those around us. Isn't that, after all, what this time of year is truly about?
Sign up now to receive Covenant's Daily Advent Devotional via email.
No comments:
Post a Comment