By Ava Pennington—

There are times in my life when I wish I had more peace. Ever felt that way? Like you know God gives you peace, but sometimes you just don’t have enough?

The problem with wishing for more peace is that it implies peace is a commodity—something we receive in measured amounts. But peace is not a product to be purchased or an item packaged in a bag or box.

Peace is also not simply the absence of violence. It’s not merely a lack of noise. And it’s not freedom from disagreement.

Peace is a Person. More than 2,700 years ago, Isaiah wrote of the coming of One who is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). The Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, entered this world of sin and discord for one purpose. He came to reconcile us to God – to restore a relationship broken by sin. The Prince of Peace came so we might have peace with God, with ourselves, and with others.

It’s not a matter of having more peace. Either we have it—Him—or we don’t. There’s no continuum moving from little to more to much. So when we find ourselves wishing for more peace, perhaps we should ask ourselves a few questions:

Am I at peace with God?

Have you ever known the peace of being reconciled to God? If not, then celebrate this Christmas by giving yourself the best gift possible: the assurance that you belong to your heavenly Father through the gift of the Prince of Peace.

Am I at peace with myself?

If peace with ourselves is dependent on our circumstances, then even though we’ve been reconciled to God, we may not be fully benefiting from His peace. Anxiousness, fear, and discouragement indicate we are viewing God from the perspective of our circumstances instead of viewing our circumstances from God’s perspective.

Am I at peace with others?

Even while we were enemies of God, He gave His Son for us. We probably won’t ever be asked to sacrifice our children for our enemies (aren’t you glad of that?). However, God does ask us to extend mercy to others, to look beyond our own hurts so He can use us as His hands, feet, and heart to a world that needs to know Him.

Peace. It’s a gift that can only come from the One who is peace. Anything else is a poor imitation. Don’t settle for a piece of peace. This Christmas, and every day of the year, enjoy God’s precious gift of the Prince of Peace.

How did you answer these three questions? Are you content with your answers?

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

 

 

 

 

______________________________________________________________________________________

© 2010 Martin Alan Grivjack PhotographyMartin Alan Grivjack PhotographyAva Pennington is thoroughly enjoying her second career as an author, teacher, and speaker. Originally from New York City, she relocated after a 20-year corporate career as a Human Resources executive. But don’t call her retired. In addition to writing and speaking, she teaches a Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) class of 150+ women from September through May each year.

Her newest book, Daily Reflections on the Names of God: A Devotional, is published by Revell and endorsed by Kay Arthur, founder of Precepts Ministries International. Ava has also written articles for magazines such as Power for LivingCalled, and Christianity Today’s Today’s Christian Woman. She has been published in 25 anthologies, including 18 Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

Ava is grateful for her husband, Russ, their marriage of 35+ years, and their home in south Florida. She is a passionate speaker and teacher, and delights in challenging audiences with relevant, enjoyable presentations. For more information, visit www.AvaWrites.com or contact her at Ava@AvaWrites.com.

3 Comments

  1. 12-12-2014

    Your three questions were so simple, yet so very profound in my soul. I shared this on our ministry page. Let’s hear it for our Prince of Peace!

    • 12-12-2014

      Thank you, Penny! I used a similar format for the devotional (Daily Reflections on the names of God), applying God’s names and attributes to who He is, who I am in relation to Him, and how each name/attribute changes my earthly relationships.

  2. 12-12-2014

    “Don’t settle for a piece of peace.” YES!

Leave a Comment