Luke 1:30 “But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.’”
When the angel appears to Mary it is the most disruptive moment of her life up until that point. God disturbs her quiet existence with His startling presence. He makes a life-altering declaration telling her that she will give birth to the Son of God. This moment is not peaceful in the way that we usually define peace. We often think of peace as being the lack of conflict or the elimination of our problems and worries. However, true peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God.
Mary experiences peace and responds with obedience and praise. Her peace does not come because God solved all her issues and gave her a simplified life. No, God actually made her life more complicated! She had more problems now than before the angel showed up! But she also had more blessings and more opportunity to be in the presence of God. Perhaps God is working to bring peace in your life not by taking your problems away but by showing up in the midst of your problems. Maybe His presence leads to more trials in your life but also to more faith as you realize that God is greater than all of the problems. Jesus is calling you to step out in faith which might mean disrupting your life so that you can experience true peace.
Lord, I desire your presence. I follow you and I embrace the ways that you are disrupting my life. Help me experience your peace through your presence in the midst of my circumstances. You are in charge and I trust in you. – AMEN
Always Wong 