Holidays

Peace. Rest.

“Peace and rest belong not to the unregenerate, they are the peculiar possession of the Lord’s people, and of them only.” – Charles Spurgeon

Peace. The angels announced it, Christmas cards call for it, and nations of the world seek it. We want it, too, don’t we? Peace in our hearts. Calmness. Quiet. Rest.

But peace seems to be hard to come by these days. Wars between nations, terrorism, violence in our cities and towns, internal turmoil, restlessness, anxiety, hurry, sleeplessness. I thought about all that.

Then, in the early hours of the day, I read the quote by Charles Spurgeon that you see above. Peace is a special gift reserved for the people of God. The world will not have peace until Jesus returns as King. People who don’t know the Prince of Peace will never be able to find peace on their own. It just doesn’t happen.

But what about those of us who know and follow Jesus? He said this to his disciples as he prepared them for his arrest, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27). The peace we need is not something we can find on our own, either. It’s supernatural, and it comes only from relationship with Jesus.

Peace is ours as a free gift and takes root day-by-day as we make him the priority of our lives. As we learn to think as he thinks. As we absorb all that he taught. As we talk to him about everything.

Peace is the gift he gives in return for our devotion to him – a feeling completely out of sync with the rest of the world: Unexplainable peace. Extraordinary gift.

“My people shall dwell in quiet resting places.” – Isaiah 32:18

Too much to do?

“Fear arises when we imagine that everything depends on us.” – Elizabeth Elliot

It’s that time of year when, in addition to our standard job and family responsibilities, we add Christmas preparations: shopping, sending cards, cooking/baking, concerts, church programs, parties, school celebrations, and on and on. Result: stress!

How do we do it all? Here are a few practical suggestions:

First, pace yourself. Start early to avoid crowds and to spread out the work.

Second, be organized. Put everything on your calendar, including reminders along the way. Make every shopping trip count by planning ahead for what you will need for each event in the month.

Third, solicit help. If you have a family, make sure the kids are included in the work, as well as the joy, of this season. Share the load: It will be lighter for you, and they will learn to be part of the team. Talk to your spouse, too. See what you can do together to streamline the “to do” list this season.

Finally, trust God. I heard a speaker on the radio say this years ago: “You have time to do today everything God wants you to do.” That hit home to me. I knew it meant that, if I was overwhelmed, I must be doing things God had not put on my list. So, a big way to avoid stress this season is to ask God every day what he wants us to do that day. Then we trust him and do with all our might the things he places before us.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2