Traffic sounds rumble early on a frosty morning.  The crash of box cars echoes from the tracks.  People running here and there with so much to accomplish and so little time.  You become invisible in a sea of bodies rushing – only to scream through the day – tear through traffic to get home again and do it all over tomorrow.

The news is filled with hatred between races, murders, theft, horrendous crimes that only a demented, twisted or broken mind could concoct.  There are stories of sexual deviation, infidelity, promiscuousness.   We hear of hit men being ordered to assassinate – bodies dismembered and left to rot – lack of respect for life at every avenue.

WHERE IS THE PEACE?

Children go to school with thoughts in their minds of being bullied, teased or humiliated.  They struggle to maintain grades so they can go on to college and succeed in the future.  They grow up believing that the only way to get ahead is to put yourself first.  They also enter those school doors wondering if they will be faced with a lockdown or worse.

WHERE IS THE PEACE?

Young men and women are faced with possible sexual harassment, unwanted pregnancies, abortion, depression and anxiety.  The incidence of drug and alcohol use  has become part of their daily existence.  They are constantly pushing to do their best, with no time to enjoy the ride.

WHERE IS THE PEACE?

Wars rage, weather disasters continue, political leaders dictate, government grows, the average man is lost in it all.  Our rulers buy into the games of politics.  Instant news has caused all sense of honesty to take a back burner to hot scoops with no research.  People lose their reputations and lives because of it.

WHERE IS THE PEACE?

Churches offer entertainment today, to increase their membership.   Scandal and abuse has entered the holy walls of Rome and right here at home. The word “sin” has become offensive to most people.  Finding a church that’s a place of healing, consoling, growth and the truth of God’s Word is becoming more and more difficult.  We all like to hear positive things about ourselves, right.  This world, after all, is all about me.

WHERE IS THE PEACE?

When Jesus came as a tiny baby in a smelly barn, surrounded by dirty animals and nothing but a mud floor, He didn’t use His Godly powers.  He came as a human being so He could experience the things we do.  The difference was, He had no sin. His mission was to live, learn, teach, die and save the world from the sting of sin and death through all of it.  His death led to His resurrection and the promise that we too will be raised from death and live eternally with Him in heaven.

He came to live a life of poverty in a insignificant little town from which nothing good ever came.  He worked hard alongside His stepfather as a carpenter.  He knew about agriculture, animals, planting and often used that knowledge to teach others about His Father’s kingdom.  He also knew the scriptures, because He wrote them.  He could do miracles, but they weren’t His primary purpose.  He came to carry the sin of the world upon His shoulders – to suffer extreme torture – die the death of a criminal and be humiliated before men.

WHERE IS THE PEACE?

The peace lay in that makeshift crib on the night of His birth. The heavenly hosts announced it to the shepherds who came to see Him. This was the promised Messiah they had waited for so long.  The peace is that little, helpless babe, nursing at His mother’s breast.  As many mothers will tell you, there is nothing like looking into the eyes of a newborn.  That baby would bring peace to the world.  All of His life is an example of how we should live and serve others.

He’s coming again to take all believers to heaven and condemn those who don’t.  I think we’re all ready for peace on earth.

THERE IS THE PEACE!