Devotional

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you: not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ” What a wonderful promise. How rarely I actually have peace in my heart. This year especially, I have struggled to have any at all. My mind just keeps rehashing all that is wrong, so how can I have peace? The world would have us think we have to be happy to have harmony and well-being. Everything needs to be just so in order for our hearts to have rest. But this passage reminded me that God’s peace isn’t like that. Despite what rages in our lives, regardless of circumstances, we can have peace . God’s promise of peace isn’t contingent on anything we do – it doesn’t hinge on the people in our lives being nice to us, or illness being kept at bay. It is there. Always. In the midst of trial, when we’re anguishing over difficult decisions, God’s overwhelming peace can bring wholeness and rest to our lives.

As part of my time with the Lord, I’m reading a devotional my mom got me for Christmas called “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young. It has a paragraph or so on each page and several scripture verses for each day of the year. What touched my heart today was 2 Corinthians 5:17″ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new”. I’ve heard/read this passage many times – but today it really struck me as I considered the close of 2009 and fresh start of 2010 just a couple days away. The Message says “Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons!” How exciting! I have a lot of “old” from this year, and each year up to now that I would certainly like to allow to pass away. Often I forget that I’m a new creation, I get bogged down with all the ugly in life. This verse reminded me that I’m not just Tonya. I’m united with a Savior who has given me the opportunity for a fresh start. Hooray! I’m just bursting with anticipation for 2010 – I know God has great things in store for my life as I draw closer to Him and intentionally build my life intertwined with His presence.