“He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.”
Ephesians 2:17 (NRSV)

Mastercard Credit services has a campaign that states that they guarantee “peace of mind” if you use their services. They describe the service as priceless in value with the convenience you want and the security you expect. Their advertising campaign has been running for over 20 years with the following tagline, “There are some things money can’t buy. For everything else, there’s MasterCard.” This slogan cleverly connects and resonates with just about everyone as it promises “Peace of Mind.”  It made me recall how peace might be one of the most important aspects of the Advent season, yet it is often overlooked. We celebrate Hope, Peace, Joy and Love as a call to action to remind ourselves to keep Christ in the center of the season. We faithfully hope for the unseen, we experience joy in the unexpected and we cherish love when we least deserve it. Yet peace requires a bit more personal sacrifice and remains elusive for many of us. I’m referring to the kind of peace that allows us to sleep soundly when we lay our head down at night, for all is well with our soul. 

How much are you willing to give for peace? What would you give up for more peace of mind, heart, and spirit?

In the iconic movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” we are introduced to the lead character George Bailey in one of the greatest stories of redemption portrayed on film. Circumstances beyond his control cause George to compare his life to others and he deems himself a failure to the point of contemplating suicide. The prayers of his family reach heaven and along comes Clarence the 2^nd class angel.  He is assigned to enlighten George about the ways he impacts others that will not happen if he takes his own life. 

This past week we celebrated the second week of advent by lighting the candle of peace. Isaiah prophesied about how a newborn child would bring about eternal peace. Isaiah’s message would not have made a good advertising campaign. The world at that time was looking for a Messiah of power and might. The world’s expectation of peace was to bring order to chaos through the strength of a mighty warrior king, certainly not an ordinary baby born in a lowly manger. 

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace…”
Isaiah 9:6-7 (NRSV)

We read in Luke about a great company of hosts praising God and stating that peace rests on whom God favors, not in the form of external tranquility but in deeper lasting peace that sustained souls. The angels were pointing out that inner peace only exists through a faithful acceptance of God through His son Jesus. 

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14

How do we partake in this favor that brings us inner peace?

In Matthew 10, Jesus is telling the disciples if you love anyone or something more than me you are not worthy to receive everlasting peace. The fire of discipline refines our righteousness to truly comprehend the will of God for our life. 

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” Matthew 10:34 (NRSV)  

Christ came into this world to call the sinner to repentance and end the hypocrisy and injustice of the self-righteous. His sword of peace carves away the bitter envy and selfish ambition which inhibits us from pursuing peace with God, within ourselves and with others. Without this peace we will continue to live in turmoil with no sense of order. 

“ For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.”
James 3:16-18 (NRSV)

By our own free will our spirit and flesh are always in conflict with the Holy Spirit, making true peace unattainable. 

What is keeping you from pursuing peace with God? 

“To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spiritis life and peace. For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”
Romans 8:6-8 (NRSV)

Watchman Lee, Chinese Preacher said, “When we sense peace, we sense comfort, harmony, rest, joy, and liberty. These are the different aspects of the sense of peace. If we sense these things within us, this proves that we are walking in the Spirit.” 

Might we need to walk closer in the Spirit? How might we do that?

“A heart of peace gives life to the body.” Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)

Inner peace calls for a unique relationship with Christ by relinquishing control of our life and aligning with the will of God. This alignment creates a deep desire for peace in our hearts. 

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.”
Colossians 3:15 (NRSV)

This is the kind of peace that secures our salvation, assures our hope, magnifies our joy, and abides in our hearts. This is the sustaining peace that only Jesus can give us and the world attempts to artificially replicate. 

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.”
John 14:27 (NRSV)   

We are challenged to live a life apart from this fallen world. Jesus came to this world calling us to live a life of humble faithfulness pursuing the everyday ordinary, while looking to him for the extraordinary. In doing so we attain the peace that surpasses all other peace and creates a bond like no other. Reverend Mike reminded us this past Sunday that this is a strong bond of like-minded ordinary people inspired by God to create extraordinary results. This is the church God called in 1985 for the Atascocita area. This is the church we are today. This is the church we will continue to be tomorrow. 

“Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:2 (NRSV)

Whether it be a HAAM gift card allowing Christmas to be a bit brighter for a child or bag of food staples to provide immediate sustenance for a Saturday’s Child family, we are sharing a glimpse of peace with each encounter. Are these acts considered “just ordinary” to someone in need?  

The past few weeks we have had several hard working AUMCer’s clearing out our property to give the rest of us clearer view of the vision God might have for that land. An ordinary, possibly overlooked, piece of land could be turned into something extraordinary. Who’s to say what the potential might be? 

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus.”
Acts 4:13 (NRSV)

The redemption story of “It’s a Wonderful Life” shares with us how our friend George Bailey finally realized that all the seemingly ordinary things he accomplished in his life were indeed extraordinary to those he impacted. He had overlooked them in the hustle and bustle of life. It took a 2^nd class angel of God named Clarence to point out George’s absolutely wonderful life that no amount of money could buy. 

Hear the good news the angel said to the shepherds! “ Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all people. To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Luke 2:10-11 (NRSV)

This Advent season celebrate the birth of the savior who came into this world as an ordinary baby wrapped in cloth to bring everlasting inner peace to those who believe in the extraordinary. No amount of money or credit nor any idol you worship can bring you peace. Your life is priceless and worth every nail. Your debt has been paid in full. Is that ordinary or extraordinary to you? You decide.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me…… Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:1-6 (NRSV)

How can you make Christ the center of your life? How can your ordinary be somebody else’s extraordinary? 

Peace be with you,
Kenny Shortsleeve, Lay Leader

^“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you.”
2 Thessalonians 3:16