Simply Soul Searching
HOW IS GOD LOVING ME – AND WHERE IS GOD LEADING ME?
ADVENT PEACE: FROM PROTECTION TO PROVISION
PEACE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IN OUR SECURITY
Thursday, December 8th
Protection: the act of covering or shielding from exposure, injury, damage, or destruction; guarding
Provision: the act of supplying or making available (something wanted or needed)
Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Luke 12:32-34 NRSVUE)
Our Advent Peace today comes from the instruction Jesus gives us, “Do not be afraid, for it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
I would like to believe that I am not anxious about my possessions, but my actions reveal that I am. I lock the doors, turn on a few lights, and sometimes hide a few items each time we are away from home. When I return to my car after shopping, I always recheck my purse for my phone and wallet. I worry when I leave my luggage with a baggage handler before a flight. A few cheap earrings were once taken from our hotel room, so I now decline the cleaning service. Certainly, it is wise to be mindful of our possessions… but I can be overly protective.
When Jesus instructs us to let go of our possessions, he is doing more than inviting us to be generous or minimalist; he is also showing us how to be free from this anxiety. Notice that Jesus doesn’t say, “It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you more possessions or replacement possessions,” but to give us “the kingdom.” That kingdom brings our Advent Peace, the Peace that no thief can take.
Our Advent Peace relieves us from the anxiety of protection with the assurance of provision. As we stop huddling protectively over our possessions, we find ourselves dancing freely in the rich goodness of God. We learn to live more vulnerably and yet more confidently. We release the transient protection of our earthly security and discover the peaceful provision of God’s sure and eternal security.
May Advent Peace guide us to hold our possessions lightly, let go of our anxiety, share what we can, and gladly receive the best gifts of God, those unfailing kingdom treasures that await us.
Bible passage taken from https://www.biblegateway.com/
Definitions found at https://www.merriam-webster.com/
Photo by Karen
Simply Soul Searching 
This is so poignant, I too am protective of the things I have. I also know none of it is going to heaven. With recently moving and many things are still packed, I find myself thinking…do I really need them? I down sized from a 2 bedroom to a 1 bedroom home but still find its more space than I need. I’m constantly making piles of things for garage sales/donations. I’m a giver my nature and the current economy has stifled most of that but there’s much to be joyful about this. Christmas season. Thank you for your gift of words and companionship. Keep writing! You are a blessing. Hopefully not too much sharing!
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You are so kind! Thanks again, dear friend.
Oh my, after moving several times, I can relate to your words. We certainly questioned the number of boxes and belongings, too! Eye-opening. May your holidays bring peace and joy!
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