Is Peace Possible?

On this second week of Advent, we focus on peace. Is peace even possible with daily reminders of war in the homeland where Jesus grew up or in the house in which you live? When the Hebrew word “shalom” is used for peace, it means more than the absence of conflict. It speaks of the wholeness that comes from being in right relationship with God made possible through Jesus, the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:5)

This kind of peace has no end. So even in the painful waiting for a health diagnosis, or for relationships with family to be reconciled, those who know Yeshua, the Prince of Peace, can experience a peace that surpasses our understanding. The kind of peace that “keeps our hearts and minds at rest” as we prayerfully surrender our anxieties and concerns to Him. (Philippians 4:6-7)

When we visited Israel last January/February, I implored God that I wouldn’t go home without His peace. Conversations with our tour group members at meals often included talking about our families. Most were people we knew from our home church in MD who wanted to catch up. But I would feel on the verge of tears often because I couldn’t help but think about our continuing estrangement with our eldest daughter back home.

One day our group went to the Garden of Gethsemane. I was surprised to see the word P E A C E “written” in stones at the place where Jesus most likely spent the night in prayer. Then I understood. Jesus paid the penalty for my sin on the cross but first he knelt in prayer and surrendered himself to His Father’s will saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39) Peace came through the surrender of his will and his life on the cross for us. (Colossians 1:19-20)

At the Garden that day, I silently surrendered my longing for reconciliation with my daughter. In exchange, God replaced my heartache with His peace. Months have passed since then and nothing in our situation has changed for the better. But God changed me that day and continues to gives me the opportunity to “let his peace rule in my heart.” (Colossians 3:15)

Jesus showed us that surrender is the path to lasting peace. Where does God’s peace need to reign in your heart today?