The Peace of Christ

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way.  The Lord be with all of you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

A sleeping child, a quiet Sunday morning gazing into woods, sitting watching the birds toil and spin, the silence of a busy day when all has been laid to rest, the absence of chaos, the freedom from disturbance are all examples of peace.

As we enter into this second week of Advent, we place our focus on peace. Not peace as the world defines peace but the peace that God ushers in. The kind of peace that no matter what is going on around you, there is an intrinsic quiet that assures us that everything will be all right.  

It has been said that there are only two things definite in life, death and taxes but I would espouse that there is one more and that would be trouble. Jesus affirms it, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble (John 16:33a).” Yet, it is with the assurance that Christ gives that while there is trouble in this world, His abiding presence within us silences that which seeks to disturb the soul, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b)  

The Lord Himself is our peace.