Take His Hand
Written by Eric Weaver
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."
- John 14:27
My youngest daughter took hold of my hand, leaned into my shoulder, and whispered, "I feel safe with you."
My heart melted there on that Minneapolis sidewalk. It was a dad moment I’ll never forget.
The pressing crowds and discordant sounds of this urban intersection were both unfamiliar and unsettling. A family more familiar with gravel roads and country crickets can feel small and vulnerable in these big city situations. That’s when my little girl reached for my hand and found peace. What could have been a moment of fear and anxiety became an opportunity for her to experience peace. And it was made possible because she leaned into the presence of her father.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." These words of Jesus, found in John 14:27, give us great comfort on the discordant paths we walk.
What are you walking through today?
Are you about to step into something unfamiliar and uncertain?
Our Heavenly Father has sent His Son to walk with us down life’s sidewalks. Paths of pain, suffering, confusion, and conflict. Those unfamiliar roads where fear and anxiety threaten to steal your joy. Christmas is not a story of what was. This is a celebration of what is. God IS with us! Our Emmanuel. God’s presence is with His people! This is why the angels declare, "Peace on earth!"
The nail-scarred hands of Jesus are open today. You don’t have to walk in fear. Take His hand and walk in peace.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I take Your hand today. Lead my anxious heart to walk in peace.
