By: Elizabeth Haarberg

Overcoming

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

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 ESV

Jesus knows the pain that the world has been in, is in now and will be in later. He had a hand in creating the universe and has more insight than anyone in the trials that people face. But he also knows his part in overtaking the pain. We want nothing more than peace on Earth, but if we had peace all the time, we would be content to stay here.

I compare our lives on Earth like childbirth; if it never got uncomfortable, we would be pregnant infinitely. If life on Earth was always serene, we would never want to enter Heaven because we would have Heaven on Earth.

That said, Jesus says our job as Christians is to bring Heaven to Earth.

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 ESV

One way we can bring Heaven to Earth is if we are full of the Holy Spirit. It’s through the spirit of God that we transform into vessels for change on Earth. Everything in and around us changes as we surrender to the Holy Spirit.

There are no promises that the world will be a fantastic place to live, but through the Holy Spirit we begin to give the promise of eternal life to ourselves and offer it to everyone we come into contact with. This is how we, Christians, bring Heaven to Earth and invite others into the peace that exceeds all Earthly expectations.

Peace be to you!

*The picture is of coolers of crawfish from a gathering we attended in case you were wondering. : ) *

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado