Advent Devotional 11

By Karen Biggs

Wow! Peace is mentioned 249 times in the Bible. Let’s look at it from two angles: 1) an out-in-the-world, relational peace and 2) an inner personal peace.

RELATIONAL PEACE:

 Jesus is the Prince of Peace who gave us a gospel of peace (Eph 6:15). No matter how crazy our circumstances, Jesus is the ultimate source of our peace, having overcome the world (John 16:33) — it is a powerful gift we can tap into. We are encouraged to focus on it, seek it, and let it rule in our hearts. We are even “called to peace” (Col 3:15) — a calling is what God wants us to be doing with our lives.  “Blessed are the peacemakers,” according to the beatitudes (Matt 5:9) — not just peace-lovers, but even more, peace-makers. Yes, it’s a gift from God, but there’s a participatory aspect. We are told to “seek peace and pursue it” (I Pet 3:11). This is an active, not passive peace. Think of ways you can reach across the aisle to bring peace into your sphere. For example, maybe it’s befriending a neighbor during the long winter, speaking kind words to those who oppose your political views, joining a neighborhood task force to solve a local challenge, attending an inter-faith gathering to foster understanding and friendship, or mentoring a child who needs a peace-modeling adult in their life.

INNER PEACE:

 Internally we all want peace to rule in our hearts. Anxiety and fear can hinder us from living fully. Peace can be elusive because it requires us to trust God. Life can get scary and sometimes it’s not easy to cast all our cares upon God and trust His future for us. We think we know how life should go, and we often trust in our limited, human rationale rather than God’s wisdom.  Isaiah 55:8-9 reads, “ 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.' ” Sometimes, we won’t understand what or why something is happening, and that’s just the reality of it. God’s perplexing ways are higher than ours.  Philippians 4:6-7 states, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  I physically hold my hands out (as if cupping water) and place my burdens there; then, I lift my hands and give it to God, visualizing my burden floating to heaven into God’s care. He is King of the universe, faithful, Love incarnate, and His burden is light (Matt 11:30). He desires us to enter into His peace.

Peace Calling

By Karen Biggs

To the waters You called,

“Peace! Be still!”

Raging replaced with calm,

Fear long gone.

Jesus, bring it on.

May the Lord be gracious

And turn His face toward us,

Shine His glory upon us

With a covenant of peace

Our burdens we release.

By petition with thanksgiving 

Praising Jesus’ self-giving and forgiving,

Prayer rockets to the heavens beseeching

Ultimately Your peace eclipsing 

All analysis and understanding.

So let us trust You more

Fixing our minds on the holy Mentor

Who keeps us rest-assured

In His perfect peace so pure

Guiding us along a path secure.

May we live with each other

in harmony, and be holy,

Seeking peace and pursuing it wholly

So with wide-eyes we can see You,

Our Father faithful and true.

Let peace rule in our hearts 

Quenching life’s fiery darts,

For we are called to one accord

To cast our cares upon the Lord

Because we are evermore adored.

Peace is calling,

A gift enthralling.

Let not our hearts be dismayed

Nor our souls be afraid.

For God’s peace is His love-serenade.

St. John member Karen Biggs is a Stephen Minister.

Advent Devotional 10

Let There Be Peace on Earth

By Pastor Adam Richards

“Let there be peace on Earth.” For almost 3/4s of a century, this has been a common Christmas musical refrain, played in churches, shops, and public squares across the English-speaking world. But it inherently begs the question: what exactly is “peace?”  Some would suggest “quiet” as a synonym, but as discussed in Pastor Autumn’s children’s sermon this past Sunday, quiet doesn’t always mean peaceful!

Indeed I am reminded of a quote from MLK’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” which Lindsay Watson already directed us to this past Friday, where King criticizes “the white moderate who is more devoted to order than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice.” It speaks well of this church that our children have already begun internalizing the lesson that peace and justice go together at such a young age!

Indeed, it is an idea that can be found in scripture, such as James chapter 2, verses 15 through 16 where he states that “If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that?” The scripture reveals that peace without justice is actually the hiding of conflict, whereas true peace is when justice takes root and all are made whole, removing the desire for conflict altogether!

As the new year approaches, it is worth prayerfully considering not just where peace is lacking both in one’s own life and broader society, but also why. Invite God into a conversation about these matters, be they big or small, and you might find your heart strangely warmed, revealing a path to true peace!

Adam Richards is the associate pastor of discipleship and justice at St. John UMC! 

Advent Devotional 9

Pausing for Peace

By Kathy Sievert

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)

In the frenzy leading up to Christmas when I’m consumed by my to-do list--shopping to finish, presents to wrap, packages to mail, parties to plan, dinners to host, gatherings and events to attend, the tree and house to decorate, cookies to bake, Christmas cards to write - I forget about God’s nearness and the true gift of this season. It’s easy to be swallowed up by anxiety and discouragement, knowing I’ll never complete all these preparations. And I wonder is it even the right way to get ready for Christmas? Have I become too distracted by mundane activities? Am I too busy to be aware of God?

The other day I found my stash of Christmas cards. I bought several boxes last year during the post-Christmas sales. Every single card design I selected seemed like a whisper from God: “Wishing you the blessing of Peace at Christmas and always.” “Peace on Earth.” “May peace and gratitude be yours this Christmas and throughout the year.”

I took a deep breath. Peace is more than an absence of conflict; peace is an attitude toward life. The prophet Isaiah tells us that those who trust God have peace. (Is 26:3) Jesus, the Prince of Peace, gives us inner peace and a way to have peace with others. I can’t avoid all the troubles, conflicts and difficulty in my life, but I can choose to trust God, to open my heart and feel God’s presence in the concern and compassion, in the simple pleasures and quiet moments, in nature’s beauty and the kindness around me. I can choose to be at peace by asking myself some questions: What does all this holiday busyness really mean? What do I need to release and give to God? Why is so hard for me to pause and accept God’s peace? What happens when I stop and turn toward the Prince of Peace?

It’s easy to feel hopeless about the possibility of peace on earth and inner peace. Yet all around us, there are clues to cultivating a peaceful spirit. When I take the time to really listen to the words of the Christmas carol “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” based on Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s 1863 poem, I discover a path to peace. In the lyrics, someone hears the bells pealing

more loud and deep:

God is not dead, nor does God sleep,

For Christ is here; His spirit near

Brings peace on earth, good will to men.

The carol concludes with a call to faith to overcome the darkness.

Oh, hear God’s voice, and turn from sin.

The Prince of Peace then enters in,

And grace imparts within their hearts

His peace on earth, good will to men.

I’m setting aside my to-do list for a while to reflect on this mystery. God is with us. I will quietly marvel at the birth of the Prince of Peace and what it means for the world.

God of Peace, Emmanuel, God with us, help me to slow down and open my heart so I can rest in your presence and know your peace in these times of global turmoil and personal distress. Amen

St. John member Kathy Sievert is a Stephen Minister.

Advent Devotional 8

Sharing God’s Peace

By Lisa Wells

Out of the depths of the American Civil War came one of my favorite Christmas hymns. “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” is based on a poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1863. As he hears the bells ringing on Christmas morning, Longfellow laments:

And in despair I bowed my head;

"There is no peace on earth," I said;

"For hate is strong,

And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

How those words still resonate today! I cannot help but wonder, how are we to be joyful when so many are suffering, when wars rage, and hate seems to be ever present? Where is Peace?

The poem continues:

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The Wrong shall fail,

The Right prevail,

With peace on earth, good-will to men."

The poem references Luke 2:14. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.” Wait, what? What did the angels mean, saying “peace among those with whom he is pleased?” Why not peace everywhere? But, just as the poem says, that doesn’t mean God is dead, or asleep, or indifferently observing us from a distance. Instead, God is very much alive and active in our world. God craves being intimately involved in our lives. When we live in an authentic relationship with God (when we live in a way that pleases him), we receive that promised peace. 

Now, if you overthink things even half as much as I do, you’ll wonder, “but how do I know if I’ve done enough? How do I know if God is pleased with me?” Good news! God did that work for us!

Jesus continually uses the word Peace as a greeting to his disciples after the resurrection. In the Old Testament, the word for “peace” is shalom. Shalom refers to a state of wholeness and harmony, spilling over into all our relationships. More fundamentally, shalom means a reconciliation with God. “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him [Christ], and through him to reconcile to himself to all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Colossians 1:19-20, emphasis mine). God repairs that broken relationship with us through Jesus Christ. Shalom/Peace is experienced through our complete well-being – emotional, spiritual, social – flowing into all our relationships, made possible by God’s gift of grace.

The angels did not proclaim a world free from war or heartache or greed. They proclaimed a new world filled with the peace of reconciliation with God, gifted to us in the form of a tiny baby.

In Matthew 5:9, Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” What a promise! Jesus, the Prince of Peace, declares that anyone who follows his lead is accepted into a state of wholeness and reconciliation with God. “For those that are led by the Spirit of God are children of God,” (Romans 8:14).

Realistically most of us lack the ability to change the entire world, but we can each be led by the Spirit to share God’s peace in our small corner of it.  

Let’s put some of that peace into practice:

Right now, think of someone who you know, but not necessarily very well. Maybe you don’t even know their name. Maybe you’ve been told their name multiple times, but you’ve forgotten it each time and now you’re too embarrassed to ask yet again. Or maybe it’s someone you knew, but then lost touch with years or even decades ago. Think of that person, and hold them in your heart right now, and ask for God’s peace on them.

Most Holy God,

May the barista who was working at Kaladi’s this morning feel your love and peace surround her. May people be kind to her. God, you know her name. You know her heart. Bless her with your peace, and remind her that she is your beloved child. May she experience wholeness and harmony in her relationships. Thank you for bringing reconciliation to her life through your son Jesus. May she be led by your Spirit and reflect your peace.

Now pray that same prayer for yourself.

Most Holy God,

May I feel your love and peace surround me. May people be kind to me. God, you know my name. You know my heart. Bless me with your peace. Remind me that I am your beloved child. May I experience wholeness and harmony in my relationships. Thank you for bringing reconciliation to my life through your son Jesus. Lead me by your Spirit that I may reflect your peace.

Was it harder to pray for someone else, or yourself? Who else is God calling you to pray for during this week in Advent?

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace among those with whom he is pleased. 

Shalom.

St. John member Lisa Wells is a Certified Lay Servant and plays in the handbell choir.

Advent Devotional 7

Practicing Hope

By Pastor Andy Bartel

I love to be outside. Riding my bike, running on the trails, skiing through the woods. I love to be outside. Except … I don’t. When the mercury falls and the darkness descends, it can be difficult to motivate myself to go outside. It’s too cold. It takes too long to get dressed and undressed. I’ll go tomorrow.

It seems easier to make excuses, than to just go and do the thing that I say I love. I remember Pastor Emily once saying, “I’ve never regretted a run.” Those words grabbed my attention. For all the mental calisthenics I may put myself through to avoid doing the thing I say I love, once I do it, I never regret it. I’m always grateful and thankful to have gone outside, and so I’ve learned that there will be plenty of times I don’t “FEEL LIKE” going outside, but if I just discipline myself, and do it anyway, even when, ESPECIALLY when I don’t feel like, I’ll be glad.

Hope is like that. Sometimes it’s hard to find. Sometimes it’s hard to feel hopeful, and those are the times I find I have to DO hopeful. Like biking, or running, or skiing, hope takes discipline and intentionality. Hope takes practice. And you know what’s amazing? Just like getting outside, choosing to practice hope never leaves me disappointed.

In the fifth chapter, the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Rome: “… suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us …”

My friends, this Advent season, when you feel overwhelmed by the suffering of the world, choose to practice hope. I promise, like going out for a run, hope never disappoints.

Andy Bartel is lead pastor at St. John UMC.