Rusty George: That that right there is your life, isn't it?
The notifications won't stop.
The kids won't listen.
The bills keep coming.
Your boss keeps demanding.
Your parents keep needing.
Your spouse keeps asking the news, keeps streaming, and somewhere in all
of that you're supposed to find peace.
Hmm.
Good luck with that.
Life does move pretty fast.
And if we're honest, most of us aren't finding peace, we're finding chaos,
and we're just trying to survive it.
But what if peace isn't something you find?
What if peace is someone who finds you right in the middle of the chaos?
Let's talk about the peace we're all chasing.
We think peace looks like a clean house.
Good luck if you have kids.
A full bank account.
Inflation has entered the chat.
A quiet mind, but anxiety says, am I a joke to you?
A perfect family.
Everyone's family is a hot mess, including yours.
Truth is, uh, we've convinced ourselves that peace is the absence of problems.
If we could just get rid of that thing causing stress, then we'd have peace.
But here's the problem, life doesn't work that way.
You solve one problem, three more pop up.
It's like playing whack-a-mole with your life.
We think peace comes from control.
I can.
Control my schedule or kid's behavior or spouse's mood or health or economy,
and then everything will be fine.
Then I'll have peace,
Controlling everything doesn't bring peace.
It brings more chaos.
And here's what's tragic.
The more we chase this world's version of peace, the further away it gets because
the peace the world offers is conditional.
It depends on circumstances.
It's fragile, it's temporary.
And Jesus knew this.
That's why he said in John 1427, peace I leave with you.
My peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Did you catch that?
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Jesus is saying my piece is different.
It doesn't depend on your circumstances.
It transcends them.
So what is Jesus peace?
What makes it different?
Lemme take you back to the context.
John 14 is part of what's called the upper room discourse.
It's the night before Jesus is crucified.
He's eating the last supper with his disciples and he knows what's coming.
Betrayal, arrest.
Torture death.
And in the middle of telling them all of this, he says, peace I leave with you.
Think about that.
Jesus is hours away from the cross and he's talking about
peace, and that's not denial.
That's not toxic positivity.
That's supernatural Peace.
The Hebrew word for peace is shalom, and it means way more
than just the absence of conflict.
Shalom means wholeness, completeness, harmony, wellbeing, restoration.
It's not just the absence of war, it's the presence of
everything being as it should be.
Shalom is the kingdom of God breaking into the chaos of this world and
saying, this is how it's supposed to be.
And that's what Advent celebrates.
The second candle we light is the Bethlehem candle, the candle of peace.
Because when Jesus was born, the angels didn't just announce his arrival.
They announced Shalom, glory to God, in the highest heaven and on earth,
peace to those on whom his favor rest The prince of peace has arrived.
Lemme tell you one of my favorite stories from the gospels.
It's in Mark four.
Jesus and the disciples are in a boat.
It's a massive storm.
Waves crashing, boats taking on water.
These are experienced fishermen and they're terrified.
Where's Jesus asleep?
He's on a cushion in the back of the boat.
Are you kidding me?
The boat's about to sink and Jesus is napping.
The disciples.
Wake him up.
Teacher, do you care if we drowned?
Jesus gets up, looks at the storm and says three words, quiet,
be still, and the storm stops.
Then Jesus turns to them and says, why are you so afraid?
Do you still have no faith?
Here's the point.
Jesus doesn't promise to remove the storm.
He promises to be with you in the storm.
His piece isn't the absence of chaos.
His piece is the presence in the chaos.
So how do we actually experience this Peace?
Because knowing about Jesus peace and experiencing Jesus
peace are two different things.
Lemme give you three practices, three ways to cultivate peace in the chaos.
First, surrender control.
This is the hardest part 'cause we're control freaks.
Philippians four, six, and seven says, do not be anxious about anything, but in
every situation by prayer and petition with Thanksgiving, present your request to
God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Notice the order.
Stop being anxious.
Pray about everything.
Give thanks, then peace comes.
The truth is I am a planner.
I like control.
When Real Life church was just starting, I had this five year plan.
Year one, 200 people, year two, 400, year three, and God laughed at my plan.
We grew slower than I wanted.
We faced setbacks.
I didn't anticipate I had to learn to surrender my timeline to his.
Surrender is the gateway to peace.
Jesus said in Matthew 6 34.
Do not worry about tomorrow.
For tomorrow, we'll worry about itself.
Most of our anxiety comes from regret about the past or worry about the future.
Very little comes from right now.
Try this right now.
Take a deep breath.
You're okay right now, aren't you?
That's what Jesus means.
Stay present, be here.
And this is why I love dogs.
Dogs don't worry about tomorrow.
They're just happy you're home right now.
Be more like dogs.
Here's the third thing.
Seek his presence.
Psalm 46, 10 says, be still and know that I, I'm God.
The Hebrew word for be still is raha.
It means let go.
Release, relax.
Peace isn't something you manufacture, it's something
you receive in God's presence.
It's bigger than the Seinfeld serenity.
Now, this advent, as you light the second candle, the candle of peace,
don't just light it and move on.
Sit with it for a moment.
Watch the flame, breathe.
Pray.
Jesus, I receive your peace.
Lemme close with this.
Philippians four, seven says, the peace of God will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The word guard there is a military term.
It means to stand, sentinel, to protect, to watch.
God's peace isn't passive, it's active.
It stands guard over your heart and mind.
When anxiety tries to break in, that's God's peace.
Standing at the door of your heart saying to fear and anxiety, you shall not pass.
The second week of advent, we light the candle of peace.
And remember, Jesus didn't come to make our circumstances perfect.
He came to be our peace in imperfect situations.
He's not waiting for the storm to pass.
He's walking on the water towards you in the storm.
And his piece, the piece that transcends understanding is yours right now.
Next week we'll talk about rediscovering joy, but until then, keep it simple.