By Kelly Akins
Today is the Advent Sunday when we celebrate peace. What an elusive concept! All around us there are wars, conflict, ICE detentions and a host of other distractions. Our world is anything but peaceful. Yet in all this chaos, we are called to find and practice peace. So where do we look?
The Scripture reading in Psalms tell us that God’s Spirit is always with us, pursuing and leading us. The darkness is always light, and the night is as bright as the day. What a comfort that is to me. No matter how far away God seems, God is always there with us. It is because I have walked away that God feels distant, not that God has left me. This is a peace that is heavenly rather than a worldly peace.
We can have a peace within us even though the world is going crazy. I have felt this peace a few times in my life. When I was deciding on where to go for college, I walked onto the campus of OBU and immediately felt a sense of peace. I knew that was God’s peace telling me I had found my place. When I accepted this position as minister to preschoolers and started Godly Play, there was a profound peace, and I knew without a doubt that this was what I was supposed to be doing with my life right now.
How can we share that peace with others? You must start with finding the peace within you before it can be shared. Practice breathing deeply and pray for yourself and others to find the peace that you seek. Write a letter to someone that you feel demonstrates peace and thank them for their work. Share the peace with your neighbors and friends. No act is too small to promote peace.
Here at Wilshire, we’ve started providing fidget boxes for those dealing with sensory issues as one way of promoting peace. There are boxes located at the north entrance next to the children’s folders, and a box in the Narthex. Take what you need for use during the service. Please be sure to return the fidgets after the service so we can share them with others later.
This week, as we go out from this place, may we show peace to those we meet. May we give comfort and peace to our families that are near and far away. For those we know who are sick or grieving, may we share our light, hope and peace. Amen.