As my birthday draws near, I’m always asked by my sweet husband what I’d like for a gift(s). I find that question harder and harder to answer each year, for a number of reasons. I think the older I get, the more that material things don’t mean as much as the immaterial things such as quality time with my loved ones and making special memories with them. I also feel very blessed to have so many good things in my life that there doesn’t seem to be a desire, let alone a need for more things.
It also feels weird to consider gifts at a time when there’s so much suffering. There is devastating loss from the hurricanes of Helene and Milton. We also just had the one-year anniversary of the Israel/Hamas war. Oh, and it’s an election year that’s causing stress and division.
With these factors I’m reminded of a quote from the Miss Congeniality movie. Before the quote, a setup of the movie:
When a terrorist threatens to bomb the Miss United States pageant, the FBI rushes to find a female agent to go under cover as a contestant. Unfortunately, Gracie is the only female FBI agent who can "look the part" despite her complete lack of refinement and femininity. She prides herself in being "just one of the boys" and is horrified at the idea of becoming a girly girl.
At first, Gracie is repelled by the pageant women who talk about world peace as part of their interview portion of the pageant’s show. But by the end of her experience and journey, she finally admits for herself and others, “I really do want world peace”.
Colossians 3:1-17 gives us a great blueprint into how we can obtain peace. For those who have a new life in Christ they are called to focus on the things of heaven, not of earth. And very much like in the movie, Believers are called to put to death sin in their life (just as Gracie had to put to death some of her un-feminine ways for her assignment). And we’re further called to put on the things of God such as tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, grace, forgiveness and love. Again, very much like Gracie who had to put on makeup, fancy dresses and heels.
If we focus on verse 15 it states, “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”
So, if I were to make an intangible birthday wish for myself and all of us it would be this:
That we could all experience a new life in Christ
That we could all put to death our sins
That we could all put on the things of God
That we could all let God’s peace rule in our hearts
That we could all be thankful in every circumstance
I have to say, I really do agree with Gracie’s quote; I really do want world peace too. And it starts with me and my own faith journey. And then hopefully it spreads to you too. And together, in unity we can all experience and carry the peace and love that only comes from God.
Blessings to you all and thank you for reading!
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