(Rev. Candace Fowler serves as Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Sedalia, MO.)
About a year ago, our family got a puppy. Her name is Millie. She's a 3.5 pound Havanese. Milie goes everywhere with me. If I'm sitting in my chair and reach for a book, Millie is checking to see if I am getting up to go somewhere. If I get up to walk across the room, Millie has her eye on me to see if she needs to get up, too. Wherever I go, she goes. She's my shadow - everywhere! Recently, I sat down at the foot of my bed to take a phone call. It lasted longer than I thought it would, and up hops Millie - right by my side. She made a place in the luggage I was unpacking, simply so she could stay right by my side. As long as she knows I am near, all is well.
Ephesians 2:14-18
For [Jesus] himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through [Jesus] we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
A new humanity-a humanity of peace. Jesus came to change things! When we choose to follow Jesus, we are changed. We become new people. However, the only way we discover who we are in Christ is by staying close to God’s side. In God’s presence, God molds us and makes us into the people we are called to be. In God’s presence, we find grace and peace and we are transformed from anxious people who are constantly striving, to peace filled people who emulate Christ.
As I write this, I am praying for you, and for me, that we would stop our striving and looking for what we need outside of God’s care. We could all take a lesson from Millie. Millie is at peace simply knowing I am near. She knows where I am, makes a place by my side and only moves when I do.
In this season, and forevermore, may each of us nestle in the presence of God’s care...and find peace.
Rev Candace Fowler
First United Methodist Church, Sedalia, MO
