pretense or peace

 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27

My Abba,

The world does not offer lasting peace. When violence comes more regularly than rain, we understand the world is not a safe place. This free will you gave us is definitely a blessing. It allows us to truly choose to love you and others. It would be impossible to have a love relationship, if one of the parties were a remote-controlled gadget. But free will is also an opportunity for unspeakable evil. We can choose to love or hate. Build up or destroy.

I know you don’t always step in to circumvent our choices – even if they have horrific consequences. You are God. I am not. I will not stand as your judge, even when I cannot make sense of things.

Thank you that you can give me peace that is not dependent on my circumstances. Again, this Christmas season, the age-old deception is promoted everywhere. But the lights, gifts, parties, and feasting do not do it for me. These pretenders do not give me peace that lasts. I feel disappointed when I again realize they promised more than they delivered.

In the past, I think I held the belief that went something like this: If I do an awesome enough job painting the perfect Christmas scene for my family, it will give us the peace and joy for which our hearts long. (All the holiday movies say so.) But then the Grinch of Reality always makes his entrance, drags us into the bright light of day, and we are disappointed again.

Amidst this unwieldy, rough-and-tumble life, please continue to remind me that in your presence there is perfect, eternal peace that no one, or nothing, has the power to snatch away.

I love you,

Mollie

My child,

How different would your Christmas look if it were just about the celebration of God becoming human? My ultimate peace offering!

I, Eternal God, pierced time and space to be born into the world, amidst the muck and mess of human life. (That stable was a good snapshot of things to come.) I came to offer the supernatural soothing of your soul that no one can steal. It always originates with me, your Perfect Peace. No one can force you to give it up. Don’t hand it over.

I came to dwell in your hearts. I can carry you through all your pain, stress, and out-of-control circumstances. Temporal treasures – no matter how amazing – cannot do that.

Lay all of it down at my feet today, whether it looks wicked or wonderful. None of it will satisfy your deepest longings. You are an eternal creature trying to fill eternal longings with perishable stuff. That is not what you are created for. Don’t settle for the imitation.

I will flood you with my soothing, tranquil relief this morning. Focus on the joy and peace of entering into my glory as I carry you by my love. That will bring you unsurpassed, imperishable peace!

I love you,

Abba

photo: robertax

NIV