Looking for Peace?
Recently, I ventured into a place that I normally shun this time of the year…. The Shopping Mall at Christmas time.
As I got closer, I began to enter the precursors of the crazy zone… I thought… Have I lost your mind.?
But there we were… in the traffic gridlocks that surround the shopping mecca… In some ways, it was rather amusing… On a normal day, we have some strange driving behaviors here… But, today… I saw some maneuvers I had never seen before… and the normal “what were they thinking” (or not thinking) and how are they driving while keying data into their phone and talking to the kids in the backseat at the same time?… hum.
Today, I was super thankful for all the 360 deg sensors they now equip cars with… man… so many warning beeps … and I am not even moving.
Inside the mall was another whole adventure… Those stories, for another time.
Then it was over… quietly back in the less congested area near where we live (it use to be in the country)… I began to re-discovered a peace… Thinking… Hope there are no malls in heaven… I bet y’a Christmas is more peaceful… probably every day…
Then remembering what Scripture promises us….
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
Just thinking about the challenges we face… how our lives quickly can be gripped with anxiety.
The revisiting the most recent experiences…. How the Christmas season has its own unique kind of stress.
More than a simple mall trip….
As this busy time is often packed with events, functions, and special services that can drive us to the brink of exhaustion or simply feeling overwhelmed.
Yet…
In the midst of this hectic atmosphere, the Bible reminds us that Jesus came to give us peace.
In fact, the Bible tells us that He is the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
This is a kind of peace that the world cannot give us.
We cannot work to achieve it.
We cannot get it by reading books.
We cannot acquire this peace by accumulating more wealth.
We cannot earn it by having a good job.
We can only get this Peace by knowing Jesus.
By walking and fellowshipping with Him…
By being transformed by His Spirit…
By trusting in Him, and serving Him with our lives.
So…
Right now, are you feeling a bit overwhelmed?
Are you stressed or burdened?
Are you worried about your health or finances?
Do you face difficult questions that need to be resolved?
Whatever your situation, the promises of Jesus are true for you.
Commit every problem and burden to Him.
Be honest.
Remember the words of Scripture, to cast “all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him.”
Why?
“He cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7).
This season…
Let Him give you His Peace.
This Peace… which can’t be explained.
In fact, it is so wonderful that it “surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
Draw Close… He is Near