Week 2 - Day 7

Reflection & Action

This week focused on the peace of Advent in the face of the strains of life. Jordan Woodrick named what many of us feel: “the fear that instead of doing it all, I might be overcome by it all.” As you read Quinn’s description of tired legs that supported arms of peace, and Ethan’s view of God’s shalom in the chaotic neighborhoods of South Asia, what did you discover about peace in your own life?

Try one of these activities this weekend as a way to connect with the God of peace:

• Begin at a place with lots of people - the mall, a sporting event, a busy restaurant. God’s peace is about restoring relationships and experiencing the fullness of life. Can you begin to see signs of this kind of peace, even when things are loud and crowded? Pay attention to what people are doing, the sounds you hear, the smells. Do you hear laughter? Do you smell delicious food? Are people smiling, talking with each other? These are glimpses of peace. Thank God for them as you enter into the busyness around you.

• If the line about being “overcome by it all” resonated with you, consider reflecting on what exactly threatens to overwhelm you. Gather some things that help you feel calm (snacks, candles, a blanket, some hot tea) and settle into a few quiet moments with God. Hold your hands out, palms up, and invite Him to hear all the things running through your mind. Then turn your hands over to symbolize releasing those things to God. Finally, turn your palms back up to receive the peace that God wants to give us.