Finding the Missing 'Peace' to the Puzzle

The second week of advent has quickly stumbled upon us. Just as soon as we finish reflecting on hope and spending time in prayer with God to awaken us this advent season, we are reminded of Peace. But in order to understand how hope can lead to peace, we must carefully examine what the word peace asks us to do. You see, for many, peace stems from the idea of being absent from conflict. Two nations can be at peace with each other, neighbors can be at peace, and even families can be at peace with one another - all suggesting they are absent from conflict.

However, upon closer examination, peace (or Shalom as the bible puts it) stems from the Greek word 'eirene', or to heal all that is broken. And as I sat and reflected this week on Hope and Peace, I realized that God was not only calling me to awaken, but also to be at peace with myself - to become whole and complete. Yet, one can only do that through God himself. It seems to be this cyclical paradox that continues to point back to me all the while reflecting around the image of God.

And it's not easy to be at peace with one's self. We all carry around this baggage, the weight of our past transgressions and the reminder that we are not perfect. Yet, in God we have hope that we are not defined by yesterday, but by who we are today. "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross DAILY and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever wants to lose their life for me will save it." Luke 9:23 (NIV) We must be willing to let our selfish pride die and awaken to the love God is offering us.

And who other than the virgin Mary to be the perfect model of hope and peace. Why Mary might you ask? The context around why God chose Mary has little detail. The bible says "Greetings, you who are highly favored? The Lord is with you." Luke 1:28 (NIV), when an angel visits Mary. What did the Lord see in Mary that we can draw upon today? God saw favor in her heart, an openness to trust God with all the possibilities that were about to come true. Mary's response, "I am the Lord's servant." Luke 1:38, shows that Mary denied herself and any fears or doubts she may have had and chose to believe and follow God.

Not only does Mary's response inspire me, God's love and leadership amazes me more. As Brain McLaren states, "But here is God gently inviting - not coercing - a young woman to produce a child who will be known not for his violence but for his kindness. This is a different kind of leader entirely - one who doesn't rule with the masculine power of swords and spears, but with a mother's sense of justice and compassion." (We Make the Road by Walking)

Perhaps as we awaken to God this advent season, we will begin to see advent pregnant with possibilities. Possibilities of kindness, compassion, grace, and love. As we are all small parts of this one large body called Christ, we ought to let love be born in our hearts and in this world. When we allow ourselves to have an open heart, we start to see and believe what God is asking of us. Yet, we can only see these possibilities when we let go of our ego-centric, self-centered ways...when we take up our cross daily.

How do we know this is possible? Well, God sent his one and only son to this earth so that the brokenness between humans and their creator might be healed. God loves us so much that he was willing to sacrifice what He had just to show us the way! God has offered us an opportunity to find that last 'peace' to our puzzle of life. That peace that will complete us and make us feel whole...and that peace my friends in none other than God himself!

A Season of Hope

It appears that Advent, the season of anticipation for the arrival of the Christ child, has quickly fallen upon us. Perhaps this Advent season is one that finds many struggling to believe there is goodness anywhere to be found. We've dealt with fear, heartache, worry, loneliness, anger, hurt, and solitude coming at the hand of a worldwide pandemic and political divide like we've never witnessed before...or have we?

The first week of Advent focuses on Hope. The biblical context of hope shows us how nations were waiting in great anticipation and hope for the savior, the messiah to come to Earth as man, just as the prophets had predicted. If we read carefully, we will witness that this hope focuses on a person, God, fulfilling His promises to a land that was hurting and dealing with their own corruption and cruelty. Hope that a God of love that has never lied, nor been deceitful in the past, will fulfill His promise of a great nation. The hope that a future will be better than the present. Sound familiar?

And so a great nation put their faith and trust in a baby named Jesus. A young child who would lead a life of goodness, kindness, patience, faithfulness, self-control, love, joy, peace, and gentleness. The trouble that I see here is that we already know Jesus has came to Earth, died on the cross, and was resurrected. We have read the story and know that Jesus's birth and death helps to awaken a great nation of people and faith. Jesus was the light, the way, and the truth. The example for all of us to follow. If we believe this has already happened, to whom do we place our hope in today?

It is us, you and me, that God seeks to awaken this Advent season. During our season of hope, we should be encouraged to take action. Our desires, hopes, and dreams for the future guide us in how to act now. Without action, hope is merely wishing. Yet, in order for us to take action, we must also be AWOKEN. We must awake to spiritual growth through God, letting go of our pitfalls and pasts. We are called to be God's light on this earth, sharing the love he so freely gave to us. We must feel the presence of God among us, knowing He has blessed us abundantly to be His faithful servants. We must be the hope for others to see, to believe that God will deliver us all through these difficult times.

Ironically, hopeful people throughout the Bible often recognized there was no evidence things would get better - yet, they chose to hope anyway.  I ask you, what can you do today? How can you be the light of God for someone else? What love can you share with others to remind them they are never alone? How can you grow your relationship with God? What do you need to be awoken to the spirit of the Lord and fulfill His promise?

Just as a nation once put their faith and trust in God, it is time for us to do the same. Jesus's resurrection opened a new hope - a living hope. It is our turn to be that living hope for others, showing them how powerful our loving God can be. God's past faithfulness should encourage and motivate us for a new future that is more glorious than we can imagine. 

As I was reminded by a good friend - "God often takes us by surprise...we just need to be awake!"