Peace baby, peace! That is the topic of the week and it’s been a really nice trip. God enabled me to grasp a much better understanding of the peace that He talks about and I am looking forward to talking to you about that today.
The big idea
I’ll admit it, the first thing that comes to mind (probably as a mom) is the hush when the kids are tucked in bed. Whatever chaos ensued during the day has been put to rest and the entertainment and children are asleep. All moms can relate to the relief that accompanies the peace in the air. To be honest, this is pretty much the vision I had of the peace that Christ brought to earth for all mankind.
I know, it’s a little weak.
I’d be willing to bet that most of us think of peace as the absence of conflict. Elected officials sign peace treaties to make the end of the conflict or war official.
For others, peace is a feeling people are searching for from within. Sometimes the noise and the stormy chaos they experience is stronger inside of us than what we are experiencing externally.
These are all components of the peace God talks about and this week’s study brought all of these pieces together for me.
scripture
Numbers 6:24-26 – The LORD gives peace.
Proverbs 16:7- We can have peace with enemies.
Isaiah 9:6-7 – The government will rest upon the shoulders of the Prince of Peace.
Luke 2:9-15 Peace on earth is available for all.
Colossians 1:19-23 -Reconciliation is at the heart of peace.
Ephesians 2:11-15; 4:1-3, 29-32 Christ unified Jew and Gentile bringing peace where their never could have been.
Philippians 4:1-9 -God’s peace will guard your heart and mind.
Lessons
The key that put this all together for me was better understanding that the peace Christ has brought to me, and available to all, is reconciliation. I was broken and separated from God and everything/everyone in my sin and selfishness. The wholeness, completeness, and restoration come with our relationship with Christ. As a result of His work, we can truly have peace within and among our relationships.
You say, but “you don’t know my ___________”. Really? Proverbs 16 talks about having peace with our enemies. How is that possible except for a transformed life from broken to whole; from missing and empty places to complete?
It’s like a puzzle. Your life started in pieces! Maybe they were scattered all over. Maybe they were ordered by color and shape and all ready for assembly. Regardless of where you begin, you’re at conflict until all of the pieces are put into place. If you’re not at rest inside, you’re easily not going to be at rest in your relationships with others.
challenge
It doesn’t seem as though there is much to do about this peace that Jesus has given, does it? We can be grateful, and should. Agreed!
The best way to be grateful to God for this gift is to perpetuate it. Share the peace. Show people what it looks like to live a life that is whole, healed, and complete. Talk about the work that God has and is doing in you.
In other words, buy the sealer and the frame and display the completed puzzle for the world to see what kind of work God can do in their life.