Peace for Today
Written by Diana Pagel
"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."
- Isaiah 26:3
I had always thought of myself as a peaceful person. Calm, warm, sure-sometimes a little pushy…but not too pushy. Motherhood blew that facade right out of the water. The delusion of control over other human beings continually surprises me, even to this day. While I know the gospel, my practical theology often asks, "Where can I find peace if not in the people and circumstances around me?"
Recently, I’ve been encouraged to close my eyes daily and imagine Jesus and myself sitting together in a beautiful setting. He turns and gazes at me. There’s no condemnation or disappointment in His eyes. There’s love and compassion. I’ve accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior so my debts are paid for. I no longer have to strive to know more and do better. Instead, I’m invited now to trust and receive my new identity as a saint, a new creation, a daughter of the King. Abiding in this identity allows me to pause, take a deep breath, and respond in peace to my child having a meltdown. It's out of the overflow of the love and peace I’ve received from Him, rather than my attempt to control the situation with tight fists.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, we are fickle. Help us to open our hands and relinquish the false sense of control we have over the people and circumstances around us. Help us to slow down this Advent season and receive Your perfect peace. We need Your help to live out of our new identity in Christ. Keep our minds steadfast on You, one day at a time.
