“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, today like every day, somebody or something is going to gain the upper hand on our hearts. Our hearts will be swayed, seized, and ruled. Some entity(ies) will be the “boss of me”—our functional “lord.”
It could be busyness, bitterness, or baseball; fear, fractured relationships, or fly fishing. It could be the shaming power of darkness or the seductive lure of sin. It could be overbearing people or under-performing employees, the failure of our investments or a neighbor’s new vacation home. It could be legalistic religion or a dead dad’s opinions, old regrets or new fantasies—fitting into skinny-jeans, pastoring a conflict-free church, or having our children think we “Rock!” And the list goes on and on.
Jesus, in light of this Scripture, we choose your peace as the ruler of our hearts—our cardiac king, mercy monarch, and shalom-giver. On the cross you secured God’s peace with us, and our peace with God. We no longer have to be afraid to die. Our eternal life has begun, our citizenship in heaven is irrevocable, and you are our great inheritance. How can we keep from overflowing with gratitude?
The truth is, some of us have more peace as we think about death than how we think about the rest of the summer. Jesus, may your peace rule in our hearts—as in reign, take over and take charge, be the most compelling and controlling reality. Forgive us for living as rebels, insurgents, and dissenters. We surrender afresh to you and your peace. So Very Amen.