Advent Devotional Dec 19
Week Four:
Creating Shalom means Making Peace
Monday, December 19, 2022
“A Perfect Peace” – Read Matthew 5:38-48
“But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.” (vv. 39, NAB)
James (not his real name) swung open the door to the sanctuary and walked in. I had become well acquainted with James and his schizophrenia, and I could see by the distressed look on his face that he was struggling. Soon I could hear James shouting racial slurs and spouting obscenities. Unfortunately, this was not our first episode with James’ outburst of verbal assault and threats of violence.
I invited James to take his coffee outside. As we walked towards the exit, I reminded him that a sanctuary is a place of peace for everyone. I told him that until he began taking his medication again--or was at least more peaceable--he couldn’t come inside again.
Suddenly, James began to tear his shirt off and dance around like a 110-pound Muhammad Ali. As James prepared to hit me, I prepared myself with prayer. As I prayed, I could feel the rush of James’ hand as he would run and stop just short of punching me in the nose. I didn’t flinch. I continued to pray, and James continued to dance, curse, swing, and stop just short of making contact. I kept reminding James of how much I loved him and how much God loved him. I surprised myself that inside of me, there was no fear whatsoever. I now knew that God had me, and if James did strike me, everything would still be OK.
Then James dropped his hands to his sides and screamed at me, “Is that all you’ve got for me, &*%# Man of God?”
“Yes, James,” I replied. “All I have for you is love.” James cursed and stalked away.
In the face of my own insecurity and fear, I had done something clearly outside myself. God had done something, quieting all my fear, and giving me a sense of peace in the midst of uncertainty. God continues to provide moments of holy peace, telling us that we do not have to fight anything or anyone, and that we don’t have to live in fear. God’s peace is always sufficient -- sufficient enough to even quiet the troubled soul of James when, just a few weeks later, he and I found ourselves sharing together Holy Communion and forgiveness.
O Lord, we confess that too often we are filled with fear. Remind us, Lord, that when we turn to you in prayer, you bring to us a peace that passes understanding. Amen.
Rev. Bo Ireland, Senior Pastor, Clark UMC, Oklahoma City, OK, and
Executive Director, The Lazarus Community, Oklahoma City, OK
“A Perfect Peace” – Read Matthew 5:38-48
“But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.” (vv. 39, NAB)
James (not his real name) swung open the door to the sanctuary and walked in. I had become well acquainted with James and his schizophrenia, and I could see by the distressed look on his face that he was struggling. Soon I could hear James shouting racial slurs and spouting obscenities. Unfortunately, this was not our first episode with James’ outburst of verbal assault and threats of violence.
I invited James to take his coffee outside. As we walked towards the exit, I reminded him that a sanctuary is a place of peace for everyone. I told him that until he began taking his medication again--or was at least more peaceable--he couldn’t come inside again.
Suddenly, James began to tear his shirt off and dance around like a 110-pound Muhammad Ali. As James prepared to hit me, I prepared myself with prayer. As I prayed, I could feel the rush of James’ hand as he would run and stop just short of punching me in the nose. I didn’t flinch. I continued to pray, and James continued to dance, curse, swing, and stop just short of making contact. I kept reminding James of how much I loved him and how much God loved him. I surprised myself that inside of me, there was no fear whatsoever. I now knew that God had me, and if James did strike me, everything would still be OK.
Then James dropped his hands to his sides and screamed at me, “Is that all you’ve got for me, &*%# Man of God?”
“Yes, James,” I replied. “All I have for you is love.” James cursed and stalked away.
In the face of my own insecurity and fear, I had done something clearly outside myself. God had done something, quieting all my fear, and giving me a sense of peace in the midst of uncertainty. God continues to provide moments of holy peace, telling us that we do not have to fight anything or anyone, and that we don’t have to live in fear. God’s peace is always sufficient -- sufficient enough to even quiet the troubled soul of James when, just a few weeks later, he and I found ourselves sharing together Holy Communion and forgiveness.
O Lord, we confess that too often we are filled with fear. Remind us, Lord, that when we turn to you in prayer, you bring to us a peace that passes understanding. Amen.
Rev. Bo Ireland, Senior Pastor, Clark UMC, Oklahoma City, OK, and
Executive Director, The Lazarus Community, Oklahoma City, OK
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