Moments Suspended for a New Year
By Gary Piper of Fort Gratiot, MI, USA
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:7 NRSV
Time waits for no one. Life is like a moving river—it twists and turns through the landscape of our lives. There are no “time-outs” in life. It does not matter whether your life is full of happiness or sadness, peace or conflict, love or apathy, joy or hopelessness. Another day and time will always loom on the horizon.
The prayers of a prophet reach the Divine, and God speaks to the prophet of tasks yet to do. Young people with the balance of life ahead ask to know God’s will in their lives—and they understand. One dying of cancer bows in prayer asking for strength and courage, and the Holy Spirit answers the cry. An older couple facing declining health prays for peace in their lives, and peaceful memories fill their hopeful expectations.
Spiritual death confronts one separated from God, and Jesus takes them to the cross. A person nearly succumbs to poor choices and prays for deliverance, and a nail-scarred hand pulls them into relationship with the Trinity.
There are unseen moments when time becomes meaningless. Even though a heart continues to beat, life continues to twist and turn. The journey of a suspended moment walks the corridors of eternity where time does not exist. From eternity God reaches into a life and pulls it to where one can rediscover ministry. A person begins to pray and walk heavenly realms until the word “amen” returns them to the present.
Prayer for Peace
Eternal God, help us understand and share your peace as we grow in relationship to you.
Spiritual Practice: Healing for Broken Spirits
Begin with quiet prayer. Ask God to help you detect some “sore places” in the body of Christ and in God’s creation. Become aware of people who feel separated, wounded, or left out. Reflect on or write a short journal entry of healing words to at least one person who comes to mind. Ask God for words that will touch this person’s broken spirit like healing ointment. Keep this person in your heart and prayers today and act on any ideas that come to bring blessing and wholeness.
Peace Covenant
Today, God, I will reach out to others as Christ reaches for me.
