Suffering is Not Forever and the Reversal of the Curse has Begun

Father God 
Lord Jesus
Holy Spirit

We present ourselves before you again this Sunday.
Peace. Shalom. Well-being. 
Today, we celebrate the possibility of peace
Because we live in and among distress.

We know agitation.
We know conflict.
We know estrangement.

In some times and places,
We know peace.
And any peace we enjoy comes from You.

Mary, after Gabriel’s visit, on her days-long
Journey to her relative Elizabeth’s house,
Must have felt, not only excitement, but peace.

A peace that sprang from the fulfillment 
Of the promise of Messiah.
Not from expectation of a smooth path.

The peace You give us is like Mary’s peace.
The awareness that You have promised
That suffering is not forever
And the reversal of the curse has begun.
Sin will be destroyed
Because You are born to redeem us
And will return to take us to that 
Place You are now preparing.

We will never give up seeking your peace.
There’s always more depth.
And the best is yet to be, 
When peace will penetrate every pore
Of our eternal bodies in your Kingdom.
Amen.

Soldiers photo by Bimo Luki on Unsplash

Woman photo by Katie Moum on Unsplash

Forest photo by Mark Daynes on Unsplash