Season of Peace

Temperatures are finally dropping here in Southern California, reminding me that it isn't summer any more. The Weather Channel's website tells me it is probably in the mid-60s right now and that we can expect our heater to kick on sometime during the night.

The lights that have been on people's houses since just after Halloween (what!?!?) also tell me that we are entering a new season. Now that we've had a day to give our thanks, we enter a season of giving and getting.

For many this is a season of another kind. It's a season that brings disappointment. There is no way Christmas can live up to everything the media tells us it should be. The tree won't stay green long enough, the food doesn't satisfy as much as we thought it would and the toys don't turn out to be what we really wanted after all.

Christmas isn't the only time when this can happen. The world and the media tell us about a lot of standards that we need to adhere to, and the fight to attain it all can often leave us feeling empty.

What happens when we try to live up to a standard that has been set for us only to realize that we've been set up? Is there any way to avoid the disappointment?

I think the prophet Isaiah has the prescription we need:
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast,because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3)

The way to peace isn't easy but it is simple. By keeping our minds steadfast and trusting in God, we then find peace. Author and speaker Beth Moore teaches that peace always comes with Christ's authority. Whenever something sticks out from under the "umbrella" of the authority of Christ, that is when we get "wigged out" (For more information, see "Living Beyond Yourself" by Beth Moore.).

Every year my husband's grandmother would give the same answer when asked what she wanted for Christmas. She would say, "Peace. Just give me peace." I'm sure the way she conveyed it was very cute but I think that would be the deep heart cry of many of us. I could use some peace, how about you?

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for promising to give us Your perfect peace when we keep our minds steadfast and trust in You. There is no one else I'd rather trust. Help me to keep my mind steadfast and to truly live that out moment by moment, especially during this next season of my life.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen