Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15
Gracious Jesus, today, like every day, somebody or some entity is going to claim “dibs” on the attention and affection of my heart. My heart will be swayed and ruled… that’s an indisputable fact. Something will be the functional “boss of me” today.
It could be my bitterness, pettiness or cowardice. It could be the shaming power of darkness. It could be overbearing or aggravating people. It could be my greed to have a little more money or my obsession to have a lot less heartache. It could religion or my hatred of religion. It could old regrets or new fantasies. It could be the titillation of a new romance or the approval of a dead parent.
Therefore, Jesus, in obedience to this marvelous Scripture, I choose your peace as the ruler of my heart… as my settling and centering power for this one day… as my sovereign, king, and boss. With palms up, I surrender gladly.
No one knows peace better than you, for you are the Prince of Peace. On the cross you secured God’s peace with us and our peace with God. The enmity and hostility between us have been obliterated. Peace with God is now a legal right of ours… a done deal… a settled issue. Now there’s acceptance and affection. How can we not overflow with gratitude and humility?
Indeed, Jesus, please make this legal right a personal delight—a transforming power mightily at work in my heart today… and in all my relationships. You’re writing a much better story than simply a tale of calming my restless, wandering heart. Yours is a story of healing and reconciling love. You humble stubborn people. You soften hard people. You gentle angry people. You turn enemies into friends and strangers into family.
Because you’ve forgiven me, I will choose to forgive others today. Because you’ve forgiven me, I will choose to ask forgiveness from others. Because you’ve at peace with me, I will do everything in my power to make and live at peace with others. And where peace is not possible yet, I will rest in your love and wait on your timing. So very Amen, I pray, in your praise-worthy and persistent name.
