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His Assurance of Peace

His Assurance of Peace

by | Dec 22, 2020 | Maximized Hope

The Diversity Council at my university liked my previous devotion so much that they asked me to write another for the Advent week of Peace.

The Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary Southeast Diversity Council seeks to cultivate an atmosphere that invites, welcomes, and supports underrepresented students, faculty, and staff.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. “ 

John 16:33  

As soon as my feet hit the floor in the morning…Who am I kidding? As soon as consciousness returns and I open my eyes, it begins. I grab my phone to see what has happened in the few hours while I slept. My email and social media don’t disappoint. They supply oceans of news and updates. Each update crashes over me like a powerful wave. Riots in Portland, White Supremacists marching in DC, the climbing global number of COVID-19 deaths. A little closer to home I learn that a member of my church has in fact passed away due to COVID-19, and a friend announces that she will be divorcing her husband. What a way to being a morning. So much heaviness and pain around the world and at home.  

 

This year, the tribulations have been epic. It is hard not to be overcome by anxious thoughts. In this season, many of us are just trying to hold on, with sick hearts caused by deferred hopes of catching a break to just... b r e a t h e. 

 

So, for a moment, I’m giving us all permission… 

 

To just stop. 

 

To just take a deep breath. 

 

To just consider the passage above.  

 

In the 33rd verse of John 16, Jesus makes three assurances. The first is that “in this world [we] will have tribulation.” Here, the word for tribulation is also used in Job when he described the parts of his life where everything seemed to be falling apart. 2020 has sure seemed to be one tribulation after the other. But before we fall into the depths of despair, we should look to Jesus’ second assurance from the passage. In Him we may have peace. Our omniscient God knows the end from the beginning! Weeping may indeed endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. It is joy we shall experience when the third assurance is realized. He has overcome the world.  

 

Whatever 2020 has thrown at us, whatever may be on the horizon for 2021, Jesus has promised us His peace. How can we lean into Him who has overcome the world, trusting that He will not leave us nor forsake us? This work is intentional. For me, giving God the first few moments of my day rather than diving into the oceans of traumatic news allows the peace of Christ to have first place. What practice can you put in place in your own life that will allow you to experience the peace of Christ that passes all understanding? 

 

—

Song of reflection: Peace – Anna Golden

The Call and Response of Love

The Call and Response of Love

by | Dec 8, 2020 | Maximized Hope

So, guys, I did a thing…

I was invited to write an Advent devotional for my school’s diversity council. 

The Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary Southeast Diversity Council seeks to cultivate an atmosphere that invites, welcomes, and supports underrepresented students, faculty, and staff.

If you are following the Advent Calendar, we are tracking along in Love week.

 

“When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. “

Luke 2:15-20 

  

“Mary had a baby  

Yes Lord  

Mary had a baby  

Yes my Lord  

Mary had a baby  

Yes Lord, the people keep a comin’ and the train done gone.”  

           -Negro Spiritual  

  

I am always so encouraged when I take the time to consider how God makes Himself known to us. For me, songs like the one above, with the comforting rhythm of call and response, is a way of making God’s story known to me. The rhythmic telling of the Nativity story, set to music, is not only a reminder of God’s loving act in the Incarnation, but also how I, like the shepherds in the passage, tell others of His wondrous love.   

 

When I think about the shepherds in this passage, I am also encouraged. Human categories of wealth and status don’t matter to God. The announcement of Love coming down was first shared with simple working people. In response, like in the song, the people kept a comin’.  Also, wise men—learned individuals led by the science of astronomy, who had access to power and wealth —traveled a great distance to find the King of the Jews and worship Him.  Again, the people kept a comin’. You and I, just like the shepherds and the wise men, we come as well. Why? Because He first loved us and demonstrated His love by dwelling among us, bearing our burdens, and making the ultimate sacrifice of love for our salvation. It’s no wonder that through the centuries, as the story of Love continues to be told, the people keep a comin’.