December 11 • Coming to Peace

Peace doesn’t come through settling for less than what we know is good, but rather settling our hearts in Jesus. We often experience more unrest than peace, and for many of us, peace feels like a fantasy more than a lived reality. We have experienced enough turmoil to know where not to go. But do we know how to get somewhere different, somewhere better?

Even in hard times, we put one foot in front of the other. But not all forward movement moves us forward. We cannot go to a place we do not know. You were strangers to the promises of God, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace. [Ephesians 2:12-14] Our ultimate destination is not a place, but a person. We don’t need to know where. We need to know who. Jesus is our peace. We’ll be in the right place, so long as we are with him.

 Allow the pain and difficulties to re-route you to that place. Bring your frustrations, worries, and pains to Jesus. And as you follow him through it all, celebrate how you have been led to real and lasting peace. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [Philippians 4:6-7]