It seems elusive.  It is something everyone wants.  The world wants it.  The world needs it.  Goodness knows, I have to have it.

This season is so full of stuff and busy-ness.  There is no lack of opportunities for celebrating and spending, going and doing.  If you want to maintain it, you are going to have to protect it.

I’m not sure this is something the world is ever going to find…at least any time soon.  Not in her way.  It will come.  But, not how she thinks or schemes.  The heads of state scream for it.  Politicians plan and lecture regarding it.  If she could find it and contain it, I’m not sure she would know what to do with it once she had it.

PEACE.  

The only way we are going to have true peace is to stay near the Giver of Peace.  He has come and is enough.  He is more than enough.

He is the salve of peace to heal our hearts.

This world is long on chaos and strife and short on peace.  We get caught in the crossfire.  We are pulled and torn by the anger and fear.  Life moves at breakneck speeds and we are often caught wide-eyed, deer in headlights, not sure what we should do.

We can not allow this age to dictate our hearts.  We can not be pushed by fear to live in ways that are not true to who we are called to be.  He calls.  He is our peace.

Damage and desperation lead us to live failing and faltering lives.  We look about and around instead of looking up.  He is our peace.

What will define our lives?  From where will we live out our days?  Who will guide our steps and light our paths?  This journey is often dark and scary.  We must walk in the light.  He is our peace.

I am concerned by the ease of which my spinning and toiling and dancing and running so easily distracts me from this Giver of Peace.  So quickly my eyes look away.  I am caught by the noise and the clutter and forget whose I am.

He is my Peace.

Webster says “distracted” means troubled or absent-minded.  Distraught, distressed, frenzied and panicked.  Inattentive, preoccupied, confused.  When we are distracted we look away.  What happens when we look away from the beauty of our Peace Giver and focus our eyes on this temporary place? Frenzy and panic become our poison.  We lose our focus and become preoccupied with less beautiful affections.

He has come and is enough.

We must keep our focus set on Him.  Keep our hearts occupied with the Love of our lives.  Moment by moment this choice is ours.  He is our Peace.  He is my Peace.  I must keep my eyes on the One who came to bring me peace.  He is all I need in the chaos and shadows.  He is all I need in the quiet and the light.  By sitting in the quiet with Him, I can clearly hear the words He longs to share.  I empty all of me and replace it with all of Him.

He has already come.

 Immanuel.

 Such beauty and peace.  What a magnificent trade!  My chaos and clutter for His peace and beauty.  What do we wait for?  Nothing better has ever come.  He is our Immanuel.  God with us!

Just as the angel came to Joseph and showed him the way in the dark of night, He has come to us.  He has shown us the way of peace.  He has come for us.  He is Immanuel.  He is God with us.  In His coming, He lights our way.  In His coming, He IS our peace. This sacrificial love shines brightly and brings peace to our world-worn souls.

We rest in His peace.

Choose to step away from the chaos and noise.

Lessen the clutter and confusion.

Turn your soul to the Giver of Peace.

He is your Peace.