Peace

Now that we’ve completed our series on the Armor of God, are you still remembering to put on your shoes of peace? Our current times may make this a bit more difficult than usual. Between political differences, covid mitigation disagreements, concerns for loved ones and the craziness of prepping for Christmas while wondering what it will actually look like, it’s sometimes hard to quiet our minds and experience peace. Can you surrender your cluttered thoughts to Christ? Try to spend some time each day just being and listening for God’s voice, forbidding all thoughts to enter your mind.

In Sunday’s reading in the book, The Uncluttered Heart, there is a statement that says, “In our own hearts and lives, peace is the calm in the midst of the chaos.” We may need to work harder than ever to find it, but we are blessed to have the Holy Spirit to give us this peace. We can carry this peace with us constantly because we know we are right with God, thanks to the sacrifice Jesus made for us,

Saturday’s reading challenges us to be a “shalom bringer” – someone who pours God’s blessings on others and spreads the good news of life and love and peace. Will you be a shalom bringer this week? What can you do, even from your home, to spread God’s love and peace to others? Could you bake something and leave it on a neighbor’s doorstep, send cards to the people on the 2020 Christmas Cheer Card list, provide food for EASS or another shelter, call a shut in, encourage an essential worker?

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Jesus Christ.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you peace. 1 Corinthians 1:4-9