Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Col. 3:15
Lord Jesus, this one verse is a major truth. Today, like every day, we will be wooed, won, and ruled by someone or something. It’s impossible to live without a heart-boss.
Satan loves to condemn us, and envy lurks to discontent us. Good concerns morph into paralyzing fears, and normal disappointments mutate into big anger. Old regrets come back to haunt us, and new fantasies emerge to seduce us. The line of wanna-be heart-bosses never ends.
Therefore, in obedience to this life-liberating Scripture, we choose your peace as the ruler of our hearts. With palms up, we gladly surrender our hearts to your peace as our sovereign, king, and boss. Jesus, only you are the Prince of Peace. Everything else is carpet-bagger of snake oil.
Through the Gospel, God is at peace with us, and we now have peace with him. Alienation has been replaced with reconciliation, distance with intimacy, judgment with affection. Our Father isn’t just “okay” with us; he now delights in us. There is NO peace like the peace of God. How can we not overflow with gratitude and humility, faith and hope?
Jesus may your peace work as a centering and settling power in our hearts today—in our “testy” relationships, and unfinished stories; in this angry culture and our unknown future; in our known weaknesses and our heart-deceiving successes.
As your peace rules in our hearts, we will seek to live at peace with those in our web of relationships. And where peace isn’t possible yet, we’ll rest in your love, and wait on your timing. So very Amen we pray, in your praise-worthy, rest-giving name.
