I take heart in the above verse because the world is anything but peaceful. True peace can only come from Christ, but since we live in the world, this can be quite the challenge.
“Peace not as the world gives” has been buzzing around in my head frequently these days. I wasn’t really looking for an Advent theme, it just happened. I generally prefer my spiritual life to be without imposed “seasons”.
Holidays and “seasons” ruin the ebb and flow of my ordinary, everyday life which I appreciate much more and is in many ways, less stressful. I can always find meaning in the mundane.
My anxieties have flared up, a stressful election (with thankfully the right outcome) plus years of scamdemic nonsense has all taken its toll on me. I have been yearning for peace for a very long while. It’s about time.
Our worldly cares distract us from Christ and His peace. The world’s peace is ephemeral – momentary, passing.
There are, however, those rare times when I experience an other-worldly sense of peace, a peace that I know is only from God. I can’t make it happen. It is typically brief. It will often occur in the midst of some kind of chaos, madness or important turning point, crisis or decision. This is the peace that passes understanding that the Bible speaks of.
It is impossible to describe but it is a deep sense of knowing that things will be alright no matter what happens.
It is a gift from God and out of our control, but perhaps we can invite more peace like this into our daily lives by perpetuating a calmer and more open state of being.
“Prince of Peace” also hit me like a ton of bricks lately and keeps coming to mind, so I think God is trying to tell me something. The words ‘Prince of Peace’ never impressed me in this way before.
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on his shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
Jesus is truly the Prince of Peace.
So here I am, trying to figure out how to obtain and maintain peace as I go about my days. I’m sure many of you struggle with this also. Highly annoyed with all the little problems that crop up each day and the extra work and expectations holidays bring, we think, peace, where are you?
Then I have to remember there is always a part of us that will never find complete rest in this world. As St. Augustine has famously said, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee”. There will always be a part of us reaching in toward the next life.
So as Advent comes to a close, let us carry the true Prince of Peace with us into the New Year and seek the kind of peace that is not as the world gives.
Jesus, Prince of Peace be in our midst!