With Peace and Gratitude

     “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to
     peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and
     admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit,
     singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed,
     do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
     Colossians 3:15-17

As the end of 2020 draws near and we plod along in this long season of darkness, it is easy to despair. Yet we know there is light. And when we lean into Christ and let Him rule our hearts, peace settles upon us. The world and despair attempt to steal the peace, but when we come together as the ‘body of Christ’, despite our differences, we discover peace flooding over us.

We are called to “let the message of Christ dwell among us”, and when we succeed in doing this, we come together stronger and more resilient against the darkness.

As we come together, we can sing in praise and joy for the graciousness of the Lord.

We are entering the most magical and wonderful time of the year and as we do let us turn our focus away from the season of despair and raise up a season of thankfulness.

Let us join together, whether in person or virtually, and share hymns and songs to our good and glorious God. Let us put behind us the fear, the disputes and the anger and reach forward to a new season.

Let us enter this season with thanksgiving in our hearts. Yes, the pandemic is still raging around us. Yes, there are fears and doubts about our national direction. Yet, there is one who is mightier.

We worship a God who is bigger than all that we have lost. Our God is bigger than the issues that separate us. Our God is bigger than the obstacles that threaten to trip us. Give thanks with a joyful heart, because our God is bigger!

Our joy, peace and freedom come through Christ who paid the ultimate price in death and then defeated death to bring us the promise of life. What greater gift could we receive.
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Together we will make it through this trying time and together, when we lean into Christ, we will have peace filling our hearts and be able to celebrate our God with loud songs of gratitude.

Kathy Hendrix