Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Col. 3:15
Lord Jesus, this June Saturday, like every day, somebody or something is going to claim “dibs” on the attention, affection, and allegiance of our hearts. We will be wooed, won, and ruled. We definitely will have a heart-boss today.
It could be bitterness, greed, or pride. It could be the shaming power of Satan or the empty promises of wealth. It might be overbearing people or aggravating circumstances. Old regrets come back to haunt us, and new fantasies emerge in a nanosecond. Jesus, the line of wanna-be heart-bosses never ends.
Therefore, in obedience to this life-liberating Scripture, we choose your peace as the ruler of our hearts. With palms up, we gladly surrender our hearts to your peace as our sovereign, king, and boss. Jesus, only you are the Prince of Peace; all others are carpet-baggers of snake oil.
Through your finished work on the cross, God made his peace with us, and we now have peace with our Father. Alienation has been replaced with reconciliation, distance with intimacy, judgment with affection. God isn’t just “okay” with us now; he delights in us. There is NO peace like the peace of God. How can we not overflow with gratitude and humility, faith and hope?
Jesus may your peace that transcends circumstances, work as a centering and settling power in our hearts today—in our “testy” relationships and the things we cannot control; in our angry culture and our unknown future; in our known weaknesses and our heart-deceiving successes.
Because of your peace with us, we will seek to live at peace with those in our web of relationships, Jesus. And where peace isn’t possible yet, we’ll rest in your love and wait on your timing. So very Amen we pray, in your praise-worthy and persistent name.
