peace

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

Colossians 3:15

The peace of Christ is for us always. Not just when the mood is right and everything is going our way, but in the midst of any situation and every season. 

Many times, we might attribute the idea of peace to a slow moment, an afternoon of no responsibilities, or even a bout of general predictability or security in life. However, thinking of peace in this capacity alone shortchanges the ability of Christ and the character of God to provide peace for us in times that are anything but peaceful.

This verse in Colossians, which is surrounded by rich scripture emphasizing the importance of allowing Christ to make us new and lift our eyes from earthly things, reminds us that the peace of Christ is for us always. Not just when the mood is right and everything is going our way, but in the midst of any situation and every season.

As Christians, we not only have access to the peace of Christ, but this verse tells us that we are universally called to be ruled by the peace of Christ in our hearts. Why is this important?

When the peace of Christ rules in our hearts our fears cannot. We are no longer held back by fear of failure, fear of rejection, or fear of man when we are led by the peace of Christ and our knowledge that God is good and God is in control.

When the peace of Christ rules in our hearts our emotions cannot. While God gave us our emotions as powerful signals, they are temporary where the peace of Christ is eternal. God's peace can elongate our positive emotions and heal our negative ones.

Finally, when the peace of Christ rules in our hearts our worldly desires cannot. In this season especially, with Christmas approaching, it is ironically easy to get caught up in the Cyber Monday deals, the noise of a crowded shopping center, or a backed up airport security line. God’s peace in our soul can shift our perspective and remind us that though we are here, our true home is with Him.

Whether we find ourselves curled up in front of a fire this week or fighting crowds at Target, my prayer for us all is to remember the God we’ve put our faith in. A God who makes promises and keeps them. A God who knows us, cares for us, and will never forsake us. A God who gave his only Son so that we may not perish, but have eternal life.

Peace be with you and may God bless each of you and your families…

With so much love,
Sarah M.

reflect:

(1) When things get hectic, what are some ways you can remember God’s presence and return to peace? (2) How may your decisions or actions reflect Christ’s character more when your heart is ruled by peace instead of other things? (3) Do you think there is a relationship between peace and thankfulness? If so, describe how they are related.

additional reading:

Philippians 4:7 / Isaiah 9:6 / John 3:16 

centering prayer:

Lord, Thank you that regardless of our circumstances, we can always find peace when we put our faith and trust in you. May our hearts be filled with peace that guides us through this advent season. Amen.