“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth PEACE, goodwill toward mankind.” – Luke 2:14
My goodness, do we – does our world need PEACE now more than ever. Hectic holiday schedules; overworked; overwhelmed; exhausted – mentally, emotionally, physically; bad news floods the airwaves; family dysfunction; holiday blues; loneliness; depression; recent loss of a loved one that has left a void; a doctor’s diagnosing call, life storms, trials, difficulties and stress causing anxiety and fear amidst the unknown, uncertainty and unsurety. PEACE! We all need PEACE. Truly. It’s into this, our real life scenario, that Jesus, our ‘Prince of Peace’ says this in John 16:33, “…in ME you may have PEACE. In the world you have tribulation and trouble, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” The question is, will we accept Jesus’ offer of PEACE? Because as Addison Leitch states, “Our trouble is we want peace without the Prince.” Ouch. Truth spoken nonetheless. This is why our entire world is currently in the deplorable state it is in.
If we are honest, we have all been guilty of looking for PEACE in our personal possessions – the accumulation of them; our power; our position; our prestige; our prideful self. But when these self-made lifeless ‘idols’ leave us wanting, empty and fretful; we then find ourselves seeking true peace – the PEACE that Jesus offers. But the PEACE Jesus offers is foundationally FIRST spiritual peace, that – if accepted, will then permeate us personally on every other level – mentally, emotionally, physically. As Isaiah 9:6 says, “For to US a Child is born, to US a Son is given…and He will be called the Prince of Peace.” Will we accept His offer of PEACE today?
Again, Jesus’ offer of PEACE is first spiritual, personal and eternal that then permeates and transforms our relationship with God, with others and in life’s trials and troubles. Will we accept His offer? If so, we then experience PEACE. In Hebrew it is ‘SHALOM’ which means, ‘true peace, wholeness, fullness, completeness, unity and harmony’ with God first, with others and in all of life – no matter what comes our way. Now that’s PEACE! That’s the kind of PEACE I so want and need. You? Oh yeah! Absolutely. Bring it on now. Bring on PEACE. I choose Jesus. I choose PEACE. I choose the ‘Prince of Peace’!’ You?
In Him, the ‘Prince of Peace’ and in all of life I can and will ‘be still & breathe’ – ‘confess & confide’ – ‘entrust & engage’ – ‘choose peace & live peace’. He is my sole Source of Peace – true peace as Numbers 6:24-26 eloquently states, “The LORD bless and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you PEACE.” May you and yours personally experience this marvelous blessing of God’s PEACE this Christmas season and beyond. Blessings on you friends. Truly.
Let there be ‘peace on earth’ and let it begin with Jesus – then, with me as I move on into each day of life with my – our ‘Prince of Peace’ – Jesus! He is my PEACE! You?
Doug Reed // Lead Pastor
See you at our Christmas Eve family candlelight services at 4:30 and 6:00 PM this Friday, December 24. God has truly blessed us – everyone!
