12.13.23
Building a Just Peace This Advent
Dear Church,
This past Sunday, our focus was on peace. We delved into the powerful message from Isaiah: “Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God” (Isaiah 40:3). This call to action isn’t just a utopian dream; it’s a prophecy urging us to actively participate in creating a world where peace and justice prevail.
Isaiah envisions a society where inequalities are dismantled, barriers removed, and everyone is valued. This isn’t wishful thinking; it’s a guiding light propelling us toward a just and peaceful world. The call to action echoes across the centuries, urging us to build a highway for God, not waiting for others but taking responsibility for ourselves.
Preparing the way means making room for God, cleansing our lives of negativity, and allowing God to bring a just peace. This call resonates with the challenges we face today—wars, suffering, inequality. Isaiah’s promise is a bountiful feast, rectifying all wrongs and providing healing.
Building peace starts within each of us, requiring self-reflection, forgiveness, and choosing compassion. Beyond individual action, it calls for collaboration—speaking out against injustice, supporting peace organizations, and holding leaders accountable.
Isaiah reminds us that peace begins within, offering personal, comforting peace. This Advent, may we commit to building a just peace, being messengers of hope and agents of peace. Even the smallest act of kindness can create a ripple effect, bringing us closer to Isaiah’s envisioned world and God’s kingdom.
Pastor Sela
a journey in existence 