WELS Lutherans for Life
  • - Home -
  • Who We Are
    • Our Commitment >
      • To Clients >
        • Success Stories
        • Client Services
      • To Students and Parents >
        • Healthy Choices Program
      • To Community
      • To Partners >
        • Endorsements
        • Financial Information
  • Invest
    • Donate Securely
    • Friend of Life
    • Legacy of Life
    • Baby Bottle Blessing >
      • Virtual Baby Bottle
    • United Way Campaign >
      • United Way Materials
  • Get Involved
    • Events >
      • Paint & Pinot
      • Treasure Life Events
    • Participate >
      • Volunteer
      • Churches and Schools >
        • Church & School Partners >
          • Church Partner Resources >
            • Sanctity of Life Resources
        • Offering Envelopes
        • Speakers & Education >
          • Healthy Choices
  • Get Informed
    • Get Connected
    • Newsletter
    • Blog
    • FAQs
    • Links >
      • Client Links
    • Contact Us
    • Employment Opportunities

When There's No Peace On Earth

12/22/2016

1 Comment

 
​Throughout the year we engage in this cause for Life by whatever means possible, and our collective partnership sees people from everywhere gather our hearts, our minds, our gifts, and our talents to make a difference in the lives of just one more abortion-minded or vulnerable young woman or family. We are all about those people who our mission is for!

But the Christmas season has a harsh way of bringing the worst of pains or personal demons, and the hardest of difficulties, into the front-and-center of our existence. This time of year, we are all in need of help. Odds are each one of you reading this has had a Christmas (or several) that found you thinking, “There isn’t much peace on Earth this year.” Maybe, for you, that’s this year.

We tend to get caught up in the splendor of the fact that the wonderful baby Jesus was born all those years ago, and his parents were so happy and blessed to have him when he arrived. But let’s not forget for a moment that this child was born to a couple who had to have been terrified about what was going on in their lives because of that pregnancy. 

“Mary was greatly troubled at [the angel’s] words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be,” says Luke 1:29. 

She was a virgin. Honor was everything in her culture, especially among family and in her home village. Being pregnant out of wedlock would cast a looming shadow over her life. She had tried to be honorable with her fiancé, Joseph, and everything had probably seemed to be going according to plan. Until this. Now, even though this startling news was coming from a radiant being sent from God himself into her living room, there was no avoiding the dread that clenched her heart and the worry that immediately put that lump in her throat. 

“But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.’ “  

Those words seemed to do enough to put a little peace back into her heart for the moment, enabling her to fight back the tears of confused emotion and say before the angel left, “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said (Luke 1:38).” 

But we all know what it is to be human. Mary wasn’t made perfect that day the angel visited her. She surely wrestled with severe doubt, dread, and confusion within herself in the days, weeks, and months that followed. As that belly grew, even though Joseph had nobly decided to stick by her side and not quietly break off the engagement, she probably saw some other relationships fall away or come under attack. Did friends disown her or look at her sideways? Did townspeople all whisper to each other disapprovingly as they passed in the market? Did Mary’s own family understand enough, or even believe a story about an angel in her living room? Her world was most likely upside down for the 9 months that followed, all the way up until the night Jesus was born. 

Those are the times when fear drives us to an abortion clinic. Or to just file for divorce. Or to just deny you have an addiction and keep on smiling like you’re fine. Or to just hold that grudge over that family member who destroyed your trust. Or this or that…. When our peace is gone, fear drives us.

But the angel’s words of assurance surely echoed in Mary’s head, and her faith carried her through. 

“Don’t be afraid. You are favored by God.”

Don’t be afraid, dear reader. You and I may have our worlds upside down and feel zero peace on Earth this year. But we are favored by God. Don’t let the devil convince you that’s not true just because it looks like the favor isn’t right in front of you. The immense proof of favor was found 2,000 years ago in the straw of that manger, in every day lived by a man who never sinned, and in the drops of Christ’s blood that fell from his body on that cross of Calvary. Jesus died under the weight of God’s wrath to make sure we knew God’s favor.

Our current circumstances can, and will, from time to time, become incredibly messed up. We’ll have unplanned pregnancies, loved ones will die too soon, careers will end, houses will burn to the ground, terminal illnesses will befall us, and friends will turn their backs on us. The DUIs, the divorces, the IRS audits, the smearing of your name in the workplace, and the child lost to miscarriage are all a part of this sin-stained world. This life will get messy and ugly. 

But don’t be afraid, it’s not about the size of your mess, but the size of your God. You have found favor with God. Immanuel means “God with us” in Hebrew. He could choose not to be, but he IS. The words to Mary were to all of us. God loves you passionately, and has a way for you. It’s not a way out of your circumstances necessarily, but a way into heaven with him, where today’s lack of peace on Earth will be forever forgotten. 

The promise of heaven and eternal favor with the Lord of this Universe, was wrapped in those linens and placed in a manger. May we hold that gift tightly in our hearts this Christmas, and always pass him along to everyone else whose peace on Earth feels lost. 

Merry Christmas, you who are highly favored!

Author: Jeff Ulrich

Jeff is a husband, father, and graduate school student. He attends Hope Lutheran in Oconomowoc. Jeff’s background in ministry education and future in the counseling field reflect a heart that loves to serve others and make a difference. He shares his personal or spiritual reflections in his own time at 
www.missionpossiblejeffulrich.blogspot.com
1 Comment
Philip
12/22/2016 08:46:15 pm

Thanks Jeff! This is a great article!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    TO REPRINT / SHARE
    To request permission to share or reprint any of our articles please contact us.

    Archives

    June 2022
    March 2020
    September 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015

    Categories

    All
    Engage
    Events
    Fortify
    Love
    Mission Moment
    Understand

      Get FUELed for Life:​
      First & Last name required
      E-mail address required
    Click to Subscribe

    Authors

    Amber S.
    Jeff G.​
    Jeff U.
    Katrina
    Megan L.
    Philip

    RSS Feed

    Any questions or general comments about this blog, please contact: BlogMaster@ALife2.com

Join us in:
"Protecting a child's right to live and be loved by loving moms and dads."
Picture
If you have any questions or
comments, call or complete
the 'Contact Us' form below.
We'll be happy to speak with you.

socialize with us


Call us 414-727-8176
and help today:
Donate Button

    contact us

Submit

Find us

WELS Lutherans for Life
8501 W. Lincoln Avenue

West Allis, WI 53227-2562
Copyright ©2023 WELS Lutherans for Life, Metro-Milwaukee. All rights reserved.    Site Terms of Use     Privacy Policy
We are a registered non-profit 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. EIN 39-1436085.  All contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
  • - Home -
  • Who We Are
    • Our Commitment >
      • To Clients >
        • Success Stories
        • Client Services
      • To Students and Parents >
        • Healthy Choices Program
      • To Community
      • To Partners >
        • Endorsements
        • Financial Information
  • Invest
    • Donate Securely
    • Friend of Life
    • Legacy of Life
    • Baby Bottle Blessing >
      • Virtual Baby Bottle
    • United Way Campaign >
      • United Way Materials
  • Get Involved
    • Events >
      • Paint & Pinot
      • Treasure Life Events
    • Participate >
      • Volunteer
      • Churches and Schools >
        • Church & School Partners >
          • Church Partner Resources >
            • Sanctity of Life Resources
        • Offering Envelopes
        • Speakers & Education >
          • Healthy Choices
  • Get Informed
    • Get Connected
    • Newsletter
    • Blog
    • FAQs
    • Links >
      • Client Links
    • Contact Us
    • Employment Opportunities