Advent Week Two: Finding True Peace on Earth

Peace on Earth? 

This week, the focus of Advent is peace. Join me in a little thought experiment, and let’s answer this question: Can we have peace on earth? 

The opposite of peace is conflict. This is why, when a war ends, there is a “peace treaty.” Conflict comes from competing desires. I want it this way, you want it that way. When we don’t get what we want, conflict is the result. James, the brother of Jesus, spells this out in his letter. Back to my question. Is peace possible? As long as humanity has competing desires, it is not possible. 

The solution is Biblical peace. It runs deeper than not getting your way; it transforms desires. It is about wholeness or completeness. To get a handle on the concept, the BibleProject has a great clip explaining it. Our deepest longing is for this kind of wholeness. We desire what we think will make us complete. We can have peace, but we can’t do it alone. 

This is why God sent Jesus. Jesus showed up and lived the life we were meant to live. He died the death we earned through sin. He rose from the grave and provided all who believe in Him a way into wholeness—a way to be complete. And when we trust in Him, our desires are both transformed and met by Him; thus, we no longer have the conflict that comes with unsatisfied desire.  

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever. 1 John 2:16-17

Want peace? Go all in on Jesus. Why? Because He conquered death, and, compared to the world’s desires that are passing away, those who find Him their desire will live as He does. Forever. At peace. Whole. Complete. Restored.