Peace

We are living in a world divided.
Two sides and you must choose one.
There is no middle line.
There is no compromise.

2020. The year that was supposed to bring us clear vision.
Has become a year of deepest division.
So many live in a world of the OR not the AND.
You must make a stand.
Doesn’t matter who gets hurt.

Racism. Abortion. Education.
Guns. Health care. The running of our nation.
Human rights. International relations.
We’ve each taken our battle stations.
Trust no one who is not like you.

The divide grows greater.
The increase of hate 
Our lines are drawn.
Sometimes we arm ourselves with our rationale and our social media accounts  
and aim our Scriptures at those who disagree.

We were told that in this world we will have trouble.
Well, we’ve found it.
The bubble of our first world safety nets 
does not keep us from the harm of self-sabotage.
The deep rifts are tearing us apart.

But the war raging without is simply a sign 
of the unseen battle within.
We pine for resolution.
The ache inside each of us 
that cries for peace.
Our souls long for rest.
To lay down the fight.
So we might
be still and know.

Like the disciples, we are on the boat and the storm is raging.
We need someone to speak 
to the wind and waves
To save us.
Just say a word and the night goes calm.
And there is peace.

Peace is a promise.
The beautiful Shalom
When our hearts feel at home.
And we flourish together.
The nourishment of our souls
Forever.

There is peace in the waiting.
A sacred beauty in creating 
the pause.
When we give ourselves over to the process 
of waiting, we can trust.
We trust that the Lord will be there for us 
at the end of the waiting.
Period.

In the chaos of 2020, we lift our eyes to rest on you.
You are our peace.
In the loss and disappointment and division and pain,
You are our peace.
In the midst of this season of busy and doing,
You are our peace.
We slow. We pause. We hold our breath in anticipation.
The waiting is hard, but it is holy.
We invite you into the waiting.

We believe.
The Fullness of Time will happen again.
You are our hope.
You are our peace.

Jesus.

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Advent is a season of the liturgical year observed in most Christian denominations as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Christ at Christmas and the return of Christ at the Second Coming.