by Pastor Douglas Brauner

The Gift of Peace

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“And [Jesus] came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.”
Ephesians 2:17-18 English Standard Version

Experiencing retirement feels much like this signpost. I ask myself, “Where do I want to go.” Sometimes the answer is obvious, like needing to go to the bathroom and finding the closest restroom. Some of the answers are vaguer like finding my way to Barview, when I don’t know where Barview is.

Discovering where we want to go can be as much of an adventure as reaching that destination itself.

People are asking themselves the question of destiny as the world seems to be falling apart. We are reminded of Jesus’ words as he sat opposite the temple in the last week of his life and said to his disciples, “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.” (Matthew 24:6)

Maybe this journey of life is a searching for home, the place where we are at peace not only with the world around us, but at peace within us. Home is a special place for me in retirement. As I try to navigate this journey, I find that I enjoy my home. Not that I want to stay at home, but that it gives me roots as I step out into the unknown.

My true home, our true home, is not a building, but it is the Father’s heart. Jesus is the one who has preached peace to us on this crazy adventure of life. He preached peace to all the world, even those in throws of conflict. The brutality of his cross, and the power of his victorious resurrection, have created home for you and me in the Father’s heart. May you find your peace in his house today.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado