Remember these words recorded by the 70’s band Boston?
I understand about indecision
But I don’t care if I get behind
People livin’ in competition
All I want is to have my peace of mind.
This is the time of season when people talk and sing about peace the most but seem to have very little of it. With all the packed malls, frazzled shoppers, stressed workers, agitated drivers, frenzied consumers, and unstable postal workers (think Myron in the film Jingle All The Way!), it’s difficult to find peace.
Too often we are in a hysterical frenzy to create the perfect Christmas that we miss out on the real beauty of Christmas.
Isaiah 9:6-7 says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end…”
Jesus was born into this world to bring eternal peace. He encouraged his followers with these words: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)
The Bible tells us that peace is something that can rule our lives year round. It is everlasting. But it can’t come from human governments, misguided politicians, or wishful beauty pageant contestants, perfect peace only comes from the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.
He is the only real peace-giver.
Years ago a major art gallery sponsored a competition for painters. They were offering prizes for the best painting on the subject of “Peace.” As attenders browsed through the entries, most had decided that a one certain painting was almost sure to win. It portrayed this lush green pasture under a vivid blue sky, with the cows grazing lazily and a little boy walking through the grass with his fishing pole over his shoulder. It really made you feel peaceful. But it came in second. The painting that won was a real surprise. The scene was the ocean in a violent storm. The sky was black and gray, the lightning was cutting across the sky, and the waves were crashing into the rock walls of the cliffs by the shore. No peace. But you had to look twice to understand what was going on. There, about halfway up the cliff, was a birds’ nest, tucked into a tiny hollow in the rock. A mother bird was sitting on that nest – with her little babies, tucked underneath her, sleeping soundly. That was peace!
Jesus didn’t promise us a life without hardship or difficulty, but He has promised us all the peace we need to get through the storms of life. May you experience that peace this Christmas and throughout the new year.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” – Numbers 6:24-26