Peace – Day 3
How do we hold the peace of Jesus in a supercharged, stressful Christmas season? In the Old Testament, the Israelites sacrificed peace offerings to the Lord. They gave up something good for a better blessing from God. We aren’t bound to those same rituals, but we can learn from them. Is there anything on your to-do list you need to sacrifice to bring more peace to this season? Let’s learn from two busy sisters in Luke 10: Martha is stressed and busy planning an important banquet. She’s certain everything will be perfect if she focuses solely on her to-do list. Her sister, Mary, is just as overloaded, but amid the busyness, she sacrifices some of the “doing” and pauses to sit at the feet of Jesus. Who do you think holds on to her peace, the sister worshiping her to-do list or the one who worships Jesus?
Prayer
Jesus, thank You that even when the world is trying to convince us that we need to do more and be more, You simply call us to come and rest in Your presence. When there are many good things before us, help us choose what’s best. Help us choose You.
Call to Action
Make a point to sit at the feet of Jesus today. Ask Him to take the burden of unrealistic expectations of perfection off your shoulders. Re-evaluate your to-do list and identify what brings you true peace in this busy season; move that to the top of your list and let the rest fall away. Read these words that Jesus spoke about Mary and put your name in the blank: “_______ has chosen the right thing, and it will never be taken away…(Luke 10:42).”
Amen! It’s so hard to accept that I can’t do it all, but my need for constant busyness really does steal my peace during the holidays. I need to go reevaluate my to do list!
Timing is incredible and this has been a ‘confirmation’ of a recent conversation about this very same Scripture. Very profound and meaningful, especially now. God Bless you all.