Looking for Peace?!

Peace…we are all looking for it. We all want it. If you glance around, it “might” seem to be in short supply. The devil is lurking to steal it.

Recently, Uncle Richard and I led the devotional times at the Harn Family Christmas.   Without trading notes prior, we both spoke on looking at Christmas with our eyes focused on the Cross.  Below is a short summary of what I shared.

One of the themes of Advent is “Peace”.  As I was reading and meditating on the Christmas narrative, verse 14 of Luke 2 popped off the page.  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth PEACE among those with whom He is pleased.” (Luke 2:14).  

So, what is Peace?  And, how do we get it?? 

In a sermon, John Piper defined Peace as the “presence of joyful tranquility”…think of being joyfully chill no matter what’s going on.  It doesn’t mean that conflict, animosity, or trouble are absent.  Peace is the joyful, content calm during the ravages of the storm.

With Christmas upon us, the devil messes with our Peace in so many ways.  Here we will discuss just a few.

Distractions:  This time of the year is super B-U-S-Y!!  Everyone has a thousand things to do.  We shop till we drop, fuss with our family, hit the bottle to escape, seclude ourselves in the woods or at the store…you name it, we chase temporal highs just to get through.  Our Peace is gone because we are so distracted.

Sentimentality:  The serpent loves to have us dreaming of the “good ole days”.  “Remember when _______” is melodious upon the devil’s ears.  By focusing on the past, we are not present to enjoy what is in front of us.  Our Peace is missing because we think it’s behind us.

Lil’ Baby Jesus:  You may be present, you may not be distracted yet you leave Jesus right there in the manger.  He’s Lil’ Baby Jesus and you forget about the Cross.  The Cross where He conquered sin and death. 

Think about it…Why did God send a heavenly host to celebrate??  He sent a Savior…He sent PEACE!!  Jesus came so that we could have Peace with God.  

That little baby, the Son of God incarnate, did NOT stay in the manger.  He grew up and lived a sinless life.  He died on a rugged Cross then rose from the dead to bring you Peace!!

Christmas points to Easter!!  Don’t let the distractions, sentimentality, & lil’ baby Jesus keep your eyes off the Cross!!

We all have sinned (Rom 3) and need a Savior to have Peace with a Holy God.  “By grace you have been saved through faith…” (Eph 2:8).  You can’t work for your Peace…you can’t earn your Peace. 

Let the Truth of Romans 5:1 give you hope:  “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Temporal things will fail.  Jesus is eternal and will never fail.

The Baby didn’t stay a Baby…He came as a King, a LORD…a Peacemaker!!

If you are a believer, don’t let temporal things take your focus off of King Jesus this holiday season.

If you are not a believer, I ask you, “Are you tired of chasing temporal things that don’t give you lasting Peace??”  If you can be honest with yourself and say yes, call upon Jesus.  Say “Yes” to Him being Lord of your life.  Surrender your all to Him.  Laura and I are here to help if you have questions, please contact us if you want to learn more.

Christmas points to the Cross…Christmas brings Peace!!