Prince of Peace (Thought-Provoking Thursday)
All of last week, I was looking forward with great anticipation to Friday evening. The Women’s Ministry at my church was hosting a Ladies Christmas Event, and Cheri Keaggy would be leading worship. I love my husband, but sometimes it’s good to get away with the girls.
The sanctuary looked spectacular. I plopped down in my chosen seat toward the back and took it all in. Giant snowflakes hung down from the ceiling. White lights twinkled happily, and beautiful Christmas trees filled up the stage.
The theme for the evening was Heavenly Peace…
….except my peace was about to be disrupted.
There in the “sanctuary” while women chatted cheerily and Casting Crowns “Peace on Earth” played in the background, I was suddenly robbed of my peace.
My iPhone started to ding ding ding with urgent text messages. A friend was hurting. Her world had imploded. I wanted to jump out of my seat and find her. Tears welled up in my eyes.
I sent a text to my husband — making him aware of the situation and asking him to pray for this family. I lifted my eyes to the Lord and asked Him to rain down His peace.
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On Saturday, I spent the day researching Scriptures on peace. I had to smile when I read Isaiah 9:6 in The Message translation:
For a child has been born—for us!
the gift of a Son—for us!
He’ll take over
the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
Strong God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Wholeness.
In a world where darkness seeks to rob me of my peace, I must remember that Christ came to make things Whole.
He is my peace.
As I lay my burden at His feet, the Prince of Peace will take over and give me counsel, strength, protection, and peace.
Something to think about….
Sorry I haven’t had time to reply to your news! So happy you are hosting the linky! Yay!
Saddened for your friend Lyli, pray everything turns out ok. We are blessed to have that peace that passes understanding, no matter the circumstance.
Candace Jo, thanks for those prayers. Philippians 4:6-7 is one of my favorite Scriptures on God’s peace — I recently lead an online study for Thanksgiving, and we looked at the verse as it says we must present our requests to God “with thanksgiving” (an important element that I sometimes overlook!).
Thanks, Lyli, for the chance to link up! Isaiah 9:6 has to be one of my favorites verses in the Bible. It’s always wonderful to be reminded of all the amazing things God can be to us.
I love Isaiah 9:6, too! At Christmas time, our church always sings a praise chorus at the Christmas Eve service that puts this song to music… we each light a candle, and the sanctuary fills with light to remind us that Christ is the Light of the world. — I look forward to this congregational tradition every year. 🙂
Prayed for your friend & her situation. And then prayed for each of us to be filled & overwhelmed with His peace in these days of so much activity. I love that He is our peace and He keeps us in perfect peace (Is. 26:3). Also may God use & grow the community here at your new “home”!
Blessings,
Joanne
Joanne, thanks for those prayers. It’s good to have praying sisters. 🙂
Isaiah 26:3 is such a great promise. Thanks for reminding me of it today.
Dear Lyli
Whenever I lose the peace in my heart, I have learned that is was not our Prince of Peace fault. It is usually me who has wandered away a bit, and at times a lot. It is when it feels that I am drowning that I turn back to Him and He saves me from the stormy waves around me!!
Blessings XX
Mia
I am thankful that He is the master of the waves. It gives me confidence when the storm hits.
Thanks for linking up, Mia. 🙂
I still find the whole concept of peace to be somewhat evasive. I understand the ground level peace that I have because of who I am in Christ, but the upper floors are still subject to shakiness when the earth trembles.
But yes, Christ makes things Whole; always. Thanks for sharing this, Lyli, and for hosting us.
Lisa, I love your wording. Yes, my “upper floors” do tremble a little too easily sometimes. I wish my gut level reaction was not anxiety, but in my weakness that is exactly what happens. Then, the battle begins to wage in my head — I rehearse the truth and repeat the Scriptures that assure me that God is in control and try to squelch the negative thoughts. I find that music helps me as well — I let the worship music play in the house, and it lifts my spirits and reminds me that I am His, and He has me in the hollow of His hand.
Lyli, firstly, I want to say that I am so proud of you for taking this Thursday blog-hop on and being willing to call us together with words that mean something to each of us, in our own ways. The deep reflection upon ‘peace’ is truly something most, if not all, of us need most days. But, as happened to you when you least expected it, the needs of others can take away that ‘peace’ so quickly. Yet, as your words say, the Prince of Peace restores and renews that which He is for and to us. It takes us to come to Him for that, but there is no doubt that He will rain that peace upon us as He reigns in our hearts.
I have been blessed by coming by, ~ linda
Linda, you are such an encourager! This weekend was really a tough one at our house. We have had several “whammies” over the last 8 weeks. I am so thankful for the comfort of His Word. It has rooted me and given me a firm place to stand as circumstances have crashed down around us.
So glad you linked up today! I needed to read Luke 1:37 today. It encouraged me. 🙂
Thank you, sweet Lyli. You are an encourager yourself and I am grateful to have been led to the doorway of 3-D. I am also glad that God encourages all of us through His Word.
Praising Him with you and praying for you, ~ linda
🙂
Hi Lyli,
Congrats on getting the link up and running…so grateful God is a God of peace and wholeness…so happy that verse spoke comfort and peace to you when you needed it…Merry Christmas, early and Happy Advent 🙂
Thanks, Dolly! I love Bible Gateway — it makes it so easy to look up all the verses on one subject. After immersing myself in this subject, I came to the conclusion that Peace is really a person…. 🙂
HE is our Peace! He is all we need. Lord, help me to remember this.
Karen, so glad you stopped by today! I had such fun visiting your blog tonight. 🙂
Praying that the Shalom of heaven would break into your friend’s situation. He is the Prince of Peace. Blessings!
Thanks for those prayers, Barbie. 🙂
Lovely post, Lyli. So good to be reminded that the peace of Jesus does bring us wholeness. I hope to join your link up soon!
I agree, Holly. In a world that is so full of brokenness, it’s a great comfort to know that God is all about healing and wholeness.