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?
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Song of reflection: Peace – Anna Golden