Captivated By True Peace

Luke 2:29-35 Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."

Captivated By Peace —The Testimony of Tommy waltz

Captivated by the prince of peace

I will write about my encounter with Jesus over 21 years ago.

I was looking for peace and meaning but did not know where to find it. I wanted to contribute to society, but I had nothing but sin and rebellion to add to this world's mess. In my encounter with Christ, I found peace (like Simeon­­), and I marvel continually at what God has given and what He has revealed, and he constantly reveals my heart to me. These principles showed me and can show you that God was, is, and will always be at work in our life. God gives us peace, pierces our souls with suffering, and gives us the correct perception of who we are. 

Let me briefly explain peace, which is God's work in us by the Holy Spirit, regardless of our situation or circumstances. I was longing for peace but living for myself. My God was my life and my music career.

A person invited me to a play about the life of Jesus Christ. In this play, I was exposed to true peace: Jesus. I would have to go through almost another year of going back and forth, not wanting to give up my life of death to have true peace. Now, this time of year always has a special spot in my heart. This is the time of year, many years ago, God began to reveal himself to me. If you are reading this and do not have saving faith in Christ, I would encourage you to take some time this Christmas season to contemplate Simeon's words, "my eyes have seen my salvation."  

Simeon was staring at a baby wrapped in a small tattered cloth. However, this child who needed His mother for food, clothing, and care was going to be the one that was going to deliver both Jew and Gentile from the horrible bondage of sin. This was the Jesus that came to track me down on the cold winter night at that play. He let me run for another year, but He patiently continued until His authority engulfed my life. It was when I humbled myself that I found peace. When a person begins to receive the peace of Christ, circumstances or situations do not easily shake them. 

He let me reach the bottom so I could truly marvel

It was during this year that I began to ask the big questions. What is the meaning of life? What is my purpose? How can we know what is right and wrong? During this time, I reached a very dark spot in my life. I wanted to take my very life. I had planned it out. I wrote a suicide letter and went to grab my gun, but it was not there. Nevertheless, there was a card laying on my bed, and a small note inside. It reminded me of the love of Jesus. I hit my knees. I began to cry out physically while my mind rushed back to that play a year earlier. All I can remember is sobbing uncontrollably, pleading for God to forgive me of my sins and to save me. I also cried out, "God, I don't want to die, but I don't know how to live! Please help me! Save me!" Tears still fill my eyes as I type this because He saved me that night.

He saved me. He taught me how to begin to marvel at His great gift that He has given the entire world. His Son.  It has been 21 years, and I still marvel at what He has done in granting me salvation giving me life, sustaining me, being my father, leading me, and being with me through every step. In the past, I would ask, why me? The simple answer is that He chose me, and no power, hell, or scheme of man or my sin could stop Him from doing His eternal work of salvation. Jesus was and is a real person that changed my life.

Jesus was Human

Christmas makes us grapple with the humanity of Jesus. He was a person who lived just like the rest of us. His mom had to feed, clothe and care for every need when He was a baby. His dad had to teach and instruct young Jesus how to work and live in a Jewish society. This was what struck me the most about Jesus in the beginning. It was how human He was. He lived and taught among all people, the religious elite and the outcasts of society. His mother watched people turn against, lie about Him, and eventually demand His death on the cross from Pilate. Mary was there when her son breathed his last breath.

It was like a sword piercing her heart, watching her son die. Anyone who has children will understand what this soul-piercing reality could be like. She heard the rumors of the religious elite wanting to throw her son off a cliff, she heard them call him demon possessed by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, and now she is watching Him die in agony on a criminal's cross. Jesus had to do this, for it was the only way God's wrath could be satisfied. He died to set us free. He wants to save you as he saved me. God gives us the suffering we go through to draw us closer to Him and realize how good He is and that He will never abandon us.

Jesus understands us better than any of us could ever know. He struggled like you, cried like you, hurt like you, but He did not sin. He knows you better than you know yourself because He created you and sustains you at this very moment. He knows all your insecurities, sin struggles, and everything about you. I came to terms with that many years ago I quit running and quit suppressing. I began to rest in His peace.  

I just let him reveal my dirty heart to me. There is such freedom when we surrender to Jesus. Peace entered my life. The temporary peace of material possessions can't give it; people can't give: only Jesus can give the peace that cannot be taken away. After picking myself off the floor, I cleaned up and went to bed. The next day upon waking, I bought a Bible and began to read. I began to encounter Jesus like never before. This was my witness. Jesus is alive, and He is changing me. He can change you too.

Let the peace of Jesus fill you this Christmas season. Be captivated by the prince of peace. Begin to marvel at everything he does daily for all of His creation. Understand the human side of Jesus without diminishing His deity. It will help in your relationship with Him. Let Him reveal who you are; quit running, fall on your face, and cry for Him to save you. He will. Jesus is alive, and He is still changing my life. Let Him change yours, too, by placing saving faith in Him. Salvation will be the best gift you can receive this season. Are you seeing the peace of God in your life? Are you going through soul-piercing suffering right now? Is God revealing who you are? If so, you are right in God's will. If not, come to God by placing faith in Jesus to save you. Don’t fight it just rest in His peace and love for you.

Go out and proclaim the Gospel to see a life transformed because the truth worth proclaiming is the truth that transforms. Until next month.