Advent Journey

Week 2: Peace in the Chaos – Finding Christ’s Gift of Peace  

“Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

It’s nice to speak to you about today’s topic of PEACE. Well … peace is a challenging word for me to speak on because this has been a year peace went out the window. More specifically – it was rolled out my front door by ambulance attendants and a gurney. My husband Vern had six falls in two days. It was apraxia attacking his muscles – a symptom of Parkinson’s Disease and a related Parkinson’s Dementia which Vern has been fighting against for over ten years. So, from a hospital bed, Vern told me he was no longer safe in our home. Now he lives in a long-term care facility, he’s far too young for it, but he needs 24-hour-a-day assistance from more than one person.

Adjusting to such a new community of care has many emotions, and when I see how the staff in his room work with Vern, I do feel peace, a deep peace he’s safe with good caring people who have chosen a workplace of caregiving. I feel peace I can sleep right through the night, most caregivers cannot. But we still both face battles with peace – it’s wonky in this season, there’s lots of longing for what we do not have.

In John 16: 33, Jesus says, “IN ME YOU MAY HAVE PEACE. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” So it’s essential that I know Jesus, that I do short breaks, multiple times a day to connect with Jesus, so I can overcome the world of Parkinson’s and Long Term Care – yes – I can live hourly with the peace of Jesus in me.

In John 14:27, Jesus said; “Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” There is a bit of self-control and discipline involved to keep choosing time to access Christ’s gift of peace, Peace, not panic. Stop what I’m doing and take time to bring into my journey the peace of Jesus.

It’s a gift Jesus promised us. Peace, this Advent let’s be reminded that whatever our circumstances, we can take time to bring the Peace of Jesus with us.

Lorna Dueck
Lead Consultant
Lorna Dueck Creative

Prayer:

Prince of Peace, in the chaos of life’s challenges, help me to rest in Your promise of peace. Teach me to pause, to bring my burdens to You, and to trust in Your care even when my circumstances feel overwhelming. Fill me with the peace that only You can give and help me share that peace with others in this season of Advent.

Reflection:

In John 14:27, Jesus offers us a peace that is unlike anything the world can provide. Reflect on what disrupts your peace in this season and how you can intentionally bring those struggles to Christ. Consider incorporating moments of stillness throughout your day to reconnect with Jesus, inviting His gift of peace into the places where panic or longing might otherwise reign.