Peace

Being a person who is, at times, full of anxiety, fear and discontentment – there is nothing more that I long for than peace. 

Not just normal peace, but the peace that passes all understanding. The peace that has been promised to those who follow Jesus. Philippians 4:7 promises that “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Shalom

I have been intrigued by the concept of peace this past year. I found that there is so much more to the word peace than I realized. I discovered that oftentimes in the bible, the word peace is translated from the word shalom. Shalom is a Hebrew word referencing not only peace but also wholeness and completeness. 

You see shalom existed before sin entered the world. God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden. There was no barrier between them or the world around them. Things were whole, complete. It was the way God intended.

God has also promised us that we will again walk with him freely. In heaven the world will once again be restored to its intended state. Shalom.

Good news 

While we wait, we have access to that peace today. 

Heaven and earth collided, shalom came to earth. He came in the form of a baby.

His name is Jesus.

Unfortunately, when he came, he did not bring peace in the way we think of peace. It did not mean that we would live in a world without war. It did not mean that we would no longer struggle.

He came to give us a glimpse. 

He came to give us an opportunity to experience a bit of shalom while we wait. He gave us a chance to walk with God, free from any barriers even when there are barriers around us. He gave us the space to be the fullness of who God created us to be amongst people who are lost. He gave us the opening to experience shalom in the midst of the strife.

I have mentioned throughout this series that I am in my own season of Advent. I’m in a season of waiting. But as I wait, God has opened doors. I believe that they are glimpses of what is to come. Just as Jesus has given me a glimpse of what is to come. Jesus came to give us a glimpse – a glimpse of Shalom. Of what is to come.

God has used this series on Advent to challenge me. I’ve been challenged to put language to ideas that are so ingrained in who I am that I no longer had a definition for them. This series has held me accountable in my own season of waiting. It has reminded me to remember what God has done, what he is doing and what he is going to do. He has reminded me of who he is and that I can put my faith in him. He has reminded me that I have access to Hope, Faith, Joy and Peace. He has reminded me that as I wait, I can experience Shalom. I have access to Heaven on earth.

And so do you.

Advent is over. We are no longer waiting.

Jesus was born.

Shalom has come.

And because of that we have the opportunity to experience……

Hope.

Faith.

Joy.

Peace.

And I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t want that.

Merry Christmas friends.

Because there is more,

Lisa