Peace
“For
as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness
and praise spring up before all nations.”
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness
and praise spring up before all nations.”
Isaiah
61:11
Reflection
Peace is often a perplexing and often misunderstood state of mind. Unlike hope, peace is not a result of external circumstances. In fact, peace has very little to do with anything that occurs beyond our inner selves. Our lives may outwardly appear to be the picture of contentment and tranquility, but in reality we may fell as void of peace as a dessert barren of water. Our paths may cross others whose lives appear to be in complete chaos from an outward perspective, but inwardly they posses more peace than can be imagined. Either way, if we're honest with ourselves, most of us need much more peace in life; especially as we come to the ending of 2020.
Peace can come in the simplest and most unexpected places. In the midst of facing difficult obstacles and walking through the most challenging of times, the light of peace can break through and overshadow even the most impossible of situations. Be it a cup of coffee, an embrace from a friend, the laughter of a baby, the silence of a morning sunrise or the reflective presence of an evening sunset, peace can transcend our circumstances and elevate us to a divine place where we can say to ourselves, “It’s going to be OK.”
Peace can come in the simplest and most unexpected places. In the midst of facing difficult obstacles and walking through the most challenging of times, the light of peace can break through and overshadow even the most impossible of situations. Be it a cup of coffee, an embrace from a friend, the laughter of a baby, the silence of a morning sunrise or the reflective presence of an evening sunset, peace can transcend our circumstances and elevate us to a divine place where we can say to ourselves, “It’s going to be OK.”
Advent reminds us to be prepared for peace. If the soil of our lives is ready to receive the seeds that God provides, the sprouts of peace will eventually grow uncontrollably and without effort. Sometimes all that is needed is soil.
Even in the most unfavorable conditions, a sprout can rise up with peace and transcend our circumstances. Peace multiplies and creates
more peace if we allow it to grow.
As we begin the second week of Advent, let us prepare ourselves for peace. It may come in the most unlikely places, at the strangest of times and from the most unusual sources. But is that not what Advent is all about? Doesn't that encapsulate the essential and transformative meaning of Christmas? Is that not the mystery of our Christ nature?
Prayer
God of peace, as we spend this time
with you, let us remember that your peace is always available. As we begin this second week of Advent, let us see life as new and fresh. Grant us new life and let peace overwhelm us with each new day.
Amen.
May Peace, Shalom, Shanti, be with you always.
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