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Peace for the Future 

We often feel a lack of peace when we don’t have all the pieces of our life plan. When we don’t know how a situation will turn out, or when we feel like we can’t control the outcome, we worry. But we can find peace in a new perspective. 

We may not know what the future holds for our lives personally, but we do know how the future ends collectively—with Jesus returning to make all wrongs right. Here’s a glimpse from Revelation 21: 

“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” … Revelation 21:4-5 NIV

That knowledge can guard our hearts with peace because no matter what trials come our way, we know that God will triumph in the end. 

Jesus reminded us of this in John 14 when He told His disciples that they didn’t need to worry about where He was going because He was preparing a place for them in His Father’s house. So, we can have present peace because of our future place. 

Now, that doesn’t mean we just passively hope for eternity and do nothing on earth. Instead, we have a peace that propels us toward action—to bring more of God’s Kingdom here on earth by being peacemakers, sharing our faith, loving others, serving others, and using our gifts for His glory. And when we do so, we’re bringing some of God’s peace—wholeness—to a broken world. 

Just look at this challenging prayer we find from Paul about how to wait for Jesus’ return: 

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 NLT 

As you think about ways to find more of the missing peace in your life, remember that true peace only comes from God. He is the only One who can take our full brokenness and create something new. But as you seek Him, consider how you can share His peace with the people around you. 

Peace can’t be stolen from us. Peace is a Person. His name is Jesus. And as we celebrate His birth during Christmas, we’re reminded that we wait for His return. But we wait with purpose, and we wait with peace, knowing that our God is faithful. He is good. And He’s the missing peace our souls and our world need to be complete. 

Pray: God, thank You for sending Jesus as our peace. Fill me with more of Your joy and peace as I trust in You, and make me more like You as I wait for Your return. Today I cast all of my cares onto You, knowing that You care about them all, and You alone can carry them completely. Guide me as I become a peacemaker, and show me how to bring more of Your Kingdom here on earth. In Jesus’ name, amen.