Last week, our eldest daughter received the peace award at school. You always rejoice whenever your child is recognized for something but considering everything we have been through this past year, peace was not one I thought she would have been chosen for.
There hasn’t been much peace in our lives lately. Between me quitting my job and my husband being let go from his, there has been anything but peace in our lives. Things have been so chaotic and uncertain, and I’ve had many anxious moments and sleepless nights not knowing what the future will hold for our family.
And yet, our child is recognized at school for exemplifying peace. I’m so glad that everything I have been dealing with lately hasn’t had an effect on my child having peace in her own life. She has been the calm in the midst of my storm and I can learn a whole lot about having peace in my life from my child and also from a child that was born over two thousand years ago in a lowly manger.
When the angel appeared to Jesus’ mother, Mary, his greeting to her was, “Peace be with you! The Lord is with you and has greatly blessed you!” (Luke 1:28). The news of Jesus’ birth to his mother, was ushered in by peace. 700 years before his birth, the prophet Isaiah even called him the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
He comes in peace. He ushers in peace. He is our peace.
When I feel like I just cannot handle one more thing in my life, may I remember that Jesus IS my peace. That in Him is a peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7); a peace that is not as this world gives (John 14:27); a peace that causes winds to cease and a great calm to come over the sea (Mark 4:39). Just as He can bring peace to a storm, He can be the peace to the storms in my life.
It must have been providential because I even choose a scripture verse about peace for our Christmas card this year. I thought that in the crazy chaos of life this was something our friends and family needed to hear, but it is really what I needed to hear.
So no matter what you may be going through in your life, let Him be your peace. May you take heart, because He has overcome the world!