“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:14 

Everything in the news suggests anything but peace. The enemy is stirring up panic, fear, distrust, anger, and fighting among people around the world. In the church and out of the church, people are hungry for something supernatural. There has never been a greater opportunity for the church to stand up and be Jesus. We need to show Jesus in the supermarket, in the parking lot, in the hospitals, and in our neighborhoods. Everywhere we go there is someone in need, and the Holy Spirit is waiting for those who are listening to his voice, to be Jesus. 

When we accept Jesus in our hearts, our lives change—we experience peace. Our load is lightened, and we experience a supernatural lift off our shoulders. This peace fuels our days to come and becomes our guide as we step out into life. To keep living a life of peace, we must pastor our lives, spending time in the Word, fasting, and communing with the Father in prayer. 

Living on the mission field, I have lived through war, death threats, and kidnapping threats. I’ve even been held up at gunpoint. Yet, there is something about that gift of peace, knowing that there is no place safer than the will of God that sustains me through it all. I could live behind closed doors, in fear, and never leave my house, but the Lord has called me to go out and spread the Good News, to give the gift of peace—the peace that passes all understanding, all reasoning, and leaves us full of His glory. 

Jesus said in John 14:27, “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.”