Peace

I was driving to a gathering - fearing, anxiously thinking, and maybe even dreading a bit - what might happen. I was reminded of past experiences that had occurred around this certain day - recalling people and moments - and almost sad about what might be experienced on this new day.

I find that experiences tend to have deep meaning for me. I cherish relationships and special moments and if/when something changes - even possibly for the better - I often feel hurt and pain and even grieve over what is no longer there.

As I was driving, praying, and thinking, I was filled with an overwhelming peace.

I was encouraged by the sovereignty of God - knowing that He is in control and comforted by His love, His promises and His faithfulness. My thoughts began to change and I was flooded with reflection about the good and blessed things in my life.

I was faced with an interesting observation. Maybe peace means more to my small human mind through some of my rough experiences.

Perhaps it's coping on the part of the human brain - persistent, probing sad thoughts and memories - or positive reflections of the past mixed with regret about past decisions or loss. But what advantage does this have to our lives? While looking inward and back to reflect and learn can yield helpful results, I find that it can be damaging to mull and obsess over what happened - what could have been - and really, what's in the past.

These thoughts turned my objectives and my mindset towards this event. Instead of focusing on possible fearful reminders and thoughts, I thought about how blessed I am in so many aspects of my life and contemplated how I could encourage and reach out to the people I would be interacting with. As my thoughts turned upward and outward, I embraced a beautiful peace. I have some nicks and scrapes on my heart and mind, but I have a soothing, refreshing, restoring peace - and it's beautiful.

It's a gift to find peace in God through Jesus Christ - but also to rest in it.

The holiday season can hold happy and sad memories. But this season, I hope that you embrace true love and peace.


Romans 5:1-6

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly."


John 10:7-10

"7 So Jesus said to them again, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

Advent

Original Photograph Sarah Fusaro Copyright 2013

When I was growing up, Christmas was a time of magic and steal your breath away wonder and excitement.

And now, as an adult, I still have that wonder but it's deeper and quieter. Now that we have children, my husband and I have been giving thought and prayer as to what our family Christmas traditions will be.

And one thing I hope that we will incorporate is advent.

One aspect of the holiday that I've been contemplating this year is the fact that Christ came as a baby.

The thing about babies is that they are fragile. They come into this world completely naked and vulnerable and dependent. Their entire existence depends on the mercy of those around them. They come empty handed. They give nothing and need everything.

That is exactly how the Savior of the world came to us.

It's also how He wants us to come to Him.

He came without pretense. He came without guards and walls and princely robes. He put on our flesh and our hurts and pains and fears and sought love. He was love.

And that babe grew up to be a man, the only perfect man, who willingly sacrificed his own life for the love of us.

And now, He beckons us to come to Him as He first came to us. Weak. Vulnerable. The only gift to give our hearts and our songs and our tears and our brokenness.

Christmas is a rich holiday. And yet we humans have turned it into a time of anxiety. Have we made enough food? Have we bought the perfect gift? Have we done this or that? I don't want to see so-and-so for they offended me.

No! The very best gift you can give others is your heart, unfettered and vulnerable and raw. That is what the Savior gave to us in that stable so long ago. He gave us the best of Himself and only Himself in the most real, vulnerable way.

And so on Christmas and during the season of Advent, as we wait the day that marks the entrance of our Savior to this world, may you find  rest. May your heart take a deep breath and know the Peace and Love and Joy that was the ultimate gift given to all of humanity. Rest. Know. Be in awe of the Creator of the Universe wrapping himself in the humblest, most fragile skin of humanity - for you. For me.

Put aside your quarrels and your fears and your fights. People don't love perfectly. Of course they don't. They're people.

But that's okay because we know one who does love perfectly - one who is love. 

You see, He came to trade our fear for peace. Our hate for love. Our tears for joy. Our pain for healing. Our death for life. 

He gave Himself to us completely with no pretenses.

As a vulnerable baby.