Life As Worship

Advent: A Season Expectant with Peace

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In week two of the Life as Worship Advent series, Angela turns to the theme of peace—shalom—in a world that feels anything but peaceful. She unpacks the rich biblical meaning of peace as wholeness rather than the mere absence of conflict, using vivid sports imagery and powerful Scriptures from Isaiah 11, John 16, and Romans 5. With honesty about her own recent struggles, she invites listeners to rest in God’s character, experience Christ’s peace in the middle of suffering, and long with hope for the day when Jesus returns and makes all things whole.
 
Episode Highlights
  • Naming the struggle: why peace is hard to come by in relationships, politics, our walk with God, and even within ourselves.
  • Exploring “shalom”: peace as a complex system firing on all cylinders—everything working together as it should.
  • Reading and reflecting on Isaiah 11:1–10 and the promised King from the line of Jesse who will bring perfect justice, heal creation, and unite even natural enemies in peace.
  • Jesus’ promise in John 16:33 that we “will have suffering in this world,” yet can have peace in Him because He has conquered the world.
  • Romans 5:1 and the good news that, being justified by faith, we already have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Learning to “rest in the discomfort”: trusting God’s faithfulness, justice, and purposes even when life feels off, and believing He never wastes our tears or our pain.
  • A closing Advent prayer asking God to guard our hearts and minds with His peace that passes understanding as we wait for Christ’s return.
    • Great Quotes from the Episode
    • “That word peace doesn’t just mean the absence of conflict. It really has this idea of wholeness… that nothing is off.”
    • “We are looking forward to the wholeness of all of creation… made complete and whole by having the fullness of the knowledge of the Lord here.”
    • “Wait a second—Jesus is saying that we can have peace even in the midst of suffering.”
    • “God doesn’t waste any hard time. He doesn’t waste any tears. He’s going to use it all for His glory and for my good.”
      • Scriptures Mentioned
      • Isaiah 11:1–10 
      • John 16:33
      • Romans 5:1
      • (Referenced in closing prayer) Philippians 4:7 
        • Related Episodes
        • Advent Week 1: Hope in the Dark 
        • Ep. 26 with Meg Wilson - Finding Shelter Under the Wings of God
        • Ep. 18 with Nicole Clark - Rejoicing, Persevering in Affliction and Devotion to Prayer in Hard Times
        • Ep. 41 with Jackie Freeman - Strength When Grief Wearies Our Souls
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          Life As WorshipBy Angela Mackey