Reach out to Jesus - by James Newton

I think it’s so appropriate that we have this theme of peace this Christmas time at church. The need for peace in our world has always been there. And even though we, in Australia, are in a time of peace as far as wars are concerned, it seems to me as though we need peace more than ever.
There are a lot of things to be worried about. Some big, some small. Something that I’m worried about might be nothing to you and vice-versa. But the worry is still real. Regardless of whether we share the same worries, your anxiety about an issue is just as valid as mine over another. As a society, we are genuinely worried about our future.
For thousands of years, people have searched for peace. We’ve sung about it, marched for it, fought for it, John Lennon and Yoko Ono laid in bed for it… All searching for something to stop the worry; stop the fear of the unknown; stop the anxieties about the future; stop the pain and suffering.
John and Yoko sang “give peace a chance… it’s yours if you want it”. And that’s true. But they missed the critical part – the source of peace.
Driving along Sir Donald Bradman Drive near the CBD, I noticed banners mounted on the light posts saying “Merry Christmas”, “Joy” and “Peace”. It’s a very nice reminding glimpse towards the true meaning of Christmas and a welcome for visitors to Adelaide as they make their way from the airport to the CBD. But do we really think about where joy and peace come from? Or are they just feel-good words?
The Bible calls Jesus the “Prince of Peace”. He was born so that we could have life and have it to the full. It says, “don’t be anxious, pray about it and trust God”. God promises that He has everything under control. That He can find good in even the worst of situations. Jesus is no stranger to fear, worry and anxiety – He can relate – He’s been there so that we don’t have to.
So there it is. Peace is yours if you want it... But it’s only found in Jesus.
Are you worried? Reach out to Jesus – He has the peace you search for.