Advent Devotional: Make Room for JesusSample

Day 9: Make Room for Peace

Have you ever felt true peace? Maybe it was when you sat by a campfire and admired the stars above your head in the quiet of the night. Maybe it was when you stuck your feet in the ocean and listened to the birds fly by as you heard the waves crashing around you. Your heart slowed, your mind settled and you felt like you had room to breathe. The cares of the world seemed to diminish in those moments as your gaze shifted from you to your creator.

We read in scriptures that God's peace is a peace that passes all understanding. It satisfies us in a way nothing else can. The apostle Paul relates well to us in Philippians when he says...

"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." - Philippians 4:6-7

When Paul talks in this passage about being anxious, the word he uses means “to have a distracting care.” It’s caring for things that cause you to take your eyes off Jesus. It’s actually the opposite of rest. What we learn from this scripture is that God’s peace is found when we present our requests to Him and trust that He will handle them. It doesn’t mean peace is found because He answers us right away or solves our problems. Instead when we live open-handedly with God and tell Him what we are struggling with, we admit that His way is best for our life. And then, by admitting our need for Him, we can experience a peace that passes all understanding.

Reflect:

• What is one instance this week where you have taken your eyes off Jesus and focused more on a distracting care?
• Why is it hard to relinquish control to God over this area of your life?
• How does trust and peace go hand in hand?

Pray:

Talk to God about the instance above that you listed. Admit your need for control but ask Him to give you peace as you hand it over to him and trust His ability to take care of it.