Peace To All

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Peace to All!

Then there was peace. Famous words from so many people. We even have them written in Judges 5:31. Today, I am not thinking of any of these but what I am experiencing as an individual just closing the book on Christmas 2006. The television and radio have started talking about all that has gone on this last year. Some of it is reminiscent of the bible talking about wars and rumors of wars etc. They talk about milestones, and accomplishments. There are the lists of those important people of this past year who are no longer with us. Some newscasters even talk about what we will miss about this year now ending.
Today I am enjoying peace. Our hectic lives catapult us through days and weeks. Weeks become months and before we know what has happened we have experienced a myriad of life changing moments. One thing is usually missing, peace. The Christmas rush is now part of the past week. Christmas morning has come and gone just like the wrapped presents now tucked away in the depths of our rooms. Leftovers are chilled in the refrigerator waiting for that left over meal, and outside on the deck we have six bags of refuse created from one day of activity.
Here I am, home enjoying peace. Peace that comes from two different places. The first is from the place of activity. Family and friends have come and gone. So great to see John and Ted. Haven’t seen Gary in a year. Now, they are all gone their separate ways. They have gone home, gone to work or gone Boxing Day shopping. With so many people around this past week, my brain was beginning to feel like it was spinning. Now, all is quiet. I have time to clean up and put things away for another year. Time to look out back and watch the squirrels and birds looking for dinner. Time to just sit and stare into space. Time to listen to the ticking of the clock, the sound of the furnace and the rain drops on the roof. Time to enjoy a peaceful moment.
The second peace I am relishing is in my heart. Thinking about the gifts we have given to others. Reliving in my mind the delight on their faces as they opened the box and peered at what was inside. We hope it is the right gift for the right person at the right moment in their lives. There is reassurance in our hearts as we see their expression. All is well. It is peace that comes when Christmas gives to all of us more then we could ever ask for. We have family, friends, gifts, dinner, conversation and chocolate. What more is there? It is a peace we experience after the dishes are done and everyone, totally satisfied sits around the livingroom enjoying the best thing of all, each others company.
There is one more peace we all enjoy and that is peace with God. Christ has come into our lives and purchasing for us, forgiveness. That is peace. Real peace. This last month as I prepared for my sermon dealing with peace, I realized the difference. One we get in life and the other we get in death. One helps us through the turmoil, and experiences of life. It can be related to the valleys and mountain tops of life. Like the disciples on the mountain when Jesus was meeting with Moses and Elijah. Time to pause if only for a moment before we descended to the valley of Golgotha. The other peace we feel and experience knowing God is with us even in those valleys. In spite of the valley, God gives to us a peace that comes from Jesus. His words, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.”
Next year will be more or less just like this past year. It will be filled with all form of life experiences. As we look forward to another year, may we take a whole year to hear the words of Paul to the church at Philippi, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Blessings to all. Happy New Year.
Robin