John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
It took me years to fully understand that, as Christ-followers, we sense the light of peace we have in Christ, even in the midst of adversity and anxiety. The world looks for secular peace—a peace that is momentary. But Christmas reminds us that sometimes great hope comes in the midst of waiting. That’s the peace that surpasses human understanding. It lasts—even in the storms.
In the promise of Christ’s coming, both as a baby in Bethlehem and as King in glory, we find the peace that is beyond comprehension. The silence of Advent invites us to lay down our fears and worries and to seek the Prince of Peace, who is the Lord of Lords.
This week, identify the areas in your life that require peace. Are you stressed by uncertainty, fear, or a long-standing burden? Maybe it’s a financial issue, a lost child, or a marital problem. Write it down, pray that God will give you His peace no matter the outcome, then burn it or flush it down the toilet. And wait. The Christ child keeps His promises, but often it is a waiting experience.
Here’s my prayer this week:
“Lord, teach us how to accept Your peace into our own lives, then the lives of those we are surrounded by, and into a world that is in deep darkness. Amen.”
~Rev. James Williams