12/8/24-12/14/24: ADVENT READINGS:
Read Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11; Isaiah 2:1-5; Matthew 3:1-6.
Second Sunday of Advent - PEACE
Choose Peace – Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. Colossians 3:15
Were you out on Black Friday? David and I were, briefly. Not to shop, but to make a hospital visit. If you can do the Black Friday on-site shopping, then good for you. My nerves won’t take it ☺️. Just being in the traffic was more than enough for us. But this made me think. What’s one of the first things we lose during this demanding, hectic season? Our peace! For the believer, peace is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). It’s ours. So how do we maintain it?
Colossians 3:15 begins with the word “let.” The unspoken word in that sentence is “you,” as in “You let.” This indicates I have a choice. Recently I was trying to prepare a meal, all the while thinking of my “to-do list.” I began to feel overwhelmed, and lost my peace. As is appropriate to do, I cried out to the Lord and said, “Father, calm me down.” In my spirit I heard the Holy Spirit reply, “No, you calm yourself down.” I chuckled out loud, and I knew immediately that my state of worry was my own fault. I had a choice. Choosing peace wouldn’t alter my “to-do” list, nor would it get the meal prepared, but it would improve my outlook. I needed to “let the peace of Christ rule in [my] heart” instead of fretting over the things that were not getting done as quickly as I wanted them to. By remembering the Father’s many promises to provide peace and choosing to change my focus I was able to maintain it.
Father God, help us during the coming days to choose Peace. May we daily seek Your Presence and remember the reason for this beautiful season. In Christ’s Name, Amen.
Donna Vannoy
Live Steaming
Groups
