Advent

John 14:27  

I live in a world where some people market fear. They use it as a tool. People say they want peace, but they seek it in very strange ways. Weapons of many descriptions are bought and sold. Other weapons are shaped by our tongues. We are taught defense and suspicion. My feelings become anxious just writing this.

It is not easy to banish fear from our hearts. And there are times when fear is a specific response to a real threat in our environment that is natural and should be heeded. But let’s think about the other kind of fear. The fear that spreads like a virus. The fear that is our response to the unknown. The fear that is born of our -well- fear. It multiplies. It spreads from person to person. It is a cancer of our soul.

But peace has been left for us by Jesus. It is there – always – waiting for us to accept it. It was not given “as the world gives.” It is eternally in us waiting to be our focus instead of fear. This peace is a feeling born of trust and love. What a precious gift! Like God’s gift of his only begotten son, Jesus leaves his peace with us. It is ours to accept as we accept the gift of salvation, the gift of life, and the gift of an advent season filled with peace, love, hope, and joy.

In this advent season, look deep within yourself and accept the peace that resides within you. It is a gift that only you can accept.

Prayer:

Please join me in prayer, Lord Almighty, we struggle to trust and accept what you have shared with us. We are so small and frightened in a world so big and incomprehensible. Please help us to find the peace you have given us. Let our hearts be filled with the peace of knowing you are there to care for and love us. Amen.

This episode was written by Jill Pope and recorded by Susan Daves.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.