Peace, Peace, Wonderful Peace.

The words of the title of this article are also the opening words to a hymn, celebrating the resolved condition between God and man when one has embraced God's incredible acceptance because of the finished work of Jesus for us. This pleases God. Correspondingly, there is an inner experience flowing from this as one exercises the relationship given through what's known as salvation.

Is this saying these individuals have an actual, perfect, continual experience of Peace, by no means. However, what it is saying is, they have embraced the opportunity to enter in, walking in times where this experience of Peace is tangible. It makes a great difference when one has the biggest relationships down, namely the ones with God and with ourselves. The games we play so as to not be truly seen for who we really are, what an exhaustive effort.

I know, I've paraphrased this old Scottish quote to you before, but it holds a truth. "Oh the gift that God could give us, to see ourselves as others see us." Robert Burns, in his poem 'To a Louse.' He said this regarding his watching a bug crawl on a lady's hat without her being aware, while she was in church. No distinction, no superior or inferior, the bug has much the same view as God about us in this way. We are all fallible and unaware of much.

Still, the reality is, we are all seen more truly than we realize. In the same way, when we are willing to see the truth of things, we can let go of all the justification and excuses and realize, God knows, sees, and still desires a relationship with us. This is the same as it has always been, however, because of our inner state, before Jesus came, God had no way of connecting directly with us.  

2 Corinthians 6:14 explains, "What partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness? What fellowship can light have with darkness?" English Standard Version - ESV

Yet, because of the sacrifice of Jesus, giving His life in our place, we are "justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:" Rom 5:1 Good News Bible - GNB

Many years previous, thousands of years ago, a message was shared with the prophet Isaiah: "(6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (7a) Of the increase of his government and of Peace there shall be no end," Isaiah 9:6 -7a American Standard Version - ASV.

Interestingly, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a chorus of Angels broke through the barrier between our physical world and eternity, to deliver this amazing Word about this Peace He came to impart. Man, God keeps His Word! Luke 2:8-14 "(8) There were some shepherds in that part of the country who were spending the night in the fields, taking care of their flocks. (9) An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone over them. They were terribly afraid (10), but the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. (11) This very day in David's town, your Savior was born—Christ the Lord (12). And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." (13) Suddenly, a great army of heaven's angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to God: (14) "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased!"

Way before then, He said in Isaiah 54:10, "The mountains may disappear, and the hills may become dust, but my faithful love will never leave you. I will make Peace with you, and it will never end." The LORD who loves you said this." Easy-to-Read Version - ERV

This was a promise God shared and stayed with over thousands of years until Jesus died to enable this to happen. Yet, it went further than we expected, Christ wasn't just delivered as a way to bring Peace for life around us. More importantly, He was born, lived, died and rose in victory over the greatest enemy – death; this was a way to deliver His life to be within us if we will now ask Him in. Proverbs 18:24b shares it this way, "a true friend sticks closer than a brother." International Standard Version – ISV

It takes the recognition of what the Bible calls, "the peace that passes all understanding:" Even though those who trust in Jesus still have to navigate the currents of this life, like anyone, He "is a friend (who) sticks closer than a brother," when you have asked Him into your heart. God sees our need for clarity and tries to get it to us, but we make excuses and turn away in a reflex action, called justification or rationalization.

We use the skill to explain to ourselves our reasons and actions for many of our behaviours as human beings. It's much like the skill of juggling, where one has to remain fully at rest, inside, while 'Ferris-wheeling' objects in the air. However, like life, frequently, the unexpected comes out of left field, disturbing our contrived practice, and so our Peace, and the result is the fall of the treasures we are juggling in our lives. This means our rationales, our rationalization collapses in the moment, and the worlds we have so precariously held, fall, to our regret.

Shakespeare said. "The truth will out," The Merchant of Venice, 1596. So we might as well, get real with ourselves and let God do His thing. There is a buoyancy to reality, defying the nay-saying of the rest of life. The compassion and Peace available, is at the ready, if we will only turn to Jesus and ask Him into our spirit. This way, what He did may have its effect within us and we can let go of all the balls in the air. Don't worry, he's got the ones which count, and the rest should crash and burn anyway, so our lives are not blocked by what they carry.

Philippians 4:6 goes like this, "(6) do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication (ask God, to learn) with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (7) And the Peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." English Standard Version – ESV

This past week's service was the candle of Peace, the Bethlehem candle. It stands as a reminder of the incredible opportunity every human being has offered to them in their journey, every moment of every day. How long is it going to be before we look onto the light of Jesus' life so He can give us Peace inwardly? Hey, Garbage in, Garbage out, so it follows, 'as does the day follow the night.' Let the Good of Jesus in, and goodwill flow out into our lives and those around us.

Huh, Peace, let it be an event in this Advent season of your life. Like the angels said, who appeared on the night Jesus came as a baby and Prince of Peace. ... Of the increase of his... Peace there shall be no end.

His Peace to all of us, everywhere, and Happy Seasoning!