Roy’s Ramblings…

This coming Sunday is the second Sunday in Advent also know as the Sunday of Peace. We read in the Scriptures the angels announcing to the shepherds: Peace on Earth; but what does that really mean? Webster defines peace as: 1. Absence of war; and 2. Freedom from disturbance. Well, the first definition is pretty self explanatory … if people aren’t killing people and if one country isn’t invading another one … they are experiencing peace. (Yeah I know it is way more complicated than that but I only have so much space and time to write this simple little article)

The second definition is a little different: freedom from disturbance … this could be a still pond with a glassy surface … when your little brother went off to camp for a week … when your boss realizes that the called meeting (that could have been a simple email) is cancelled and you then can curl up with a cup of tea and a good book.

So where is this going? Well, this is a church newsletter so lets introduce church themes. First we look for peace with God. God nudges us in the right direction toward God’s perfect will. When we miss the mark, God nudges us little more. To have total peace with God we need to study God’s will and desire; we need to live a life that is worthy and in accordance with the example of Christ; we need to do our best for the Kingdom. Will we reach perfection??? No. But we strive to get as close as we can to find that peace.

Second, we need peace with others. Here is that absence of war thing. War doesn’t necessarily mean countries, tanks, and bombs … it could be next door neighbors, family members, co-workers, or strangers at Walmart. Simple “getting along with all” is the peace we are searching for at this point. No, I’m not saying be a door mat and let people walk all over you – but I’m saying that we have lost the skills of disagreeing with others and still remaining friends (or at least civil). We as a society are losing the ability to have peace with others.

And Third, we so desperately need to have peace with ourselves. Some of why we can’t have peace with others is because we can’t find peace with ourselves. I know that I am my own worst critic. I punish myself a million times over for stuff that most people don’t even notice. I have found that I am a victim of the “Velcro vs. Teflon” syndrome. What is the “Velcro vs. Teflon” syndrome you may ask? When someone give you a critique or an insult it sticks to you for a long time – like velcro. When someone gives you a complement it generally slides right off – like teflon. We are made in God’s image and we are perfectly made to be who we are. But because of society (advertising, unrealistic standards, etc.) we are taught from an early age that we aren’t good enough, that we need to be more, do more, be perfect. Until we are comfortable with who we are and what we are called to do in life – we will not have peace with ourselves. <sigh> I pray for peace (all aspects of it) daily. And I hope/pray that you do to.

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14

Peace my Friends – And Happy Advent – Pastor Roy