Most of us know the definition of words like “purpose” but sometimes we might be confused by the content in which they are used. I was very impressed with the book, “40 Days of Purpose,” which was written by Rick Warren, the founder of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif. He has another book, “The Purpose of Christmas.”Warren starts out Christmas as a time for celebration, a time for salvation and a time for reconciliation. The very first Christmas was God’s gift to the world. This gift was the most valuable one we will ever receive. The gift of that first Christmas is the only gift we will receive that will last forever. We don’t have to worry about batteries going dead!
“The third purpose of Christmas is reconciliation.” There are so many conflicts in today’s world. According to the Bible there are, and will be, “wars and rumors of wars.” According to Warren, for us to experience reconciliation we must find 1) peace with God, 2) the peace of God, and 3) peace with others.
Reconciliation starts with the acceptance of Christ as our savior. Our “peace with God” helps us want the “peace of God.” Then our relationships with others enter God’s plan; unfortunately, conflicts start with power struggles. In Proverbs 13:10, God’s word says “Only by pride cometh contention.”
Others cannot meet our every need or desire; rather we should pray and seek God’s guidance through our worldly conflicts. This is where we find the “peace of God that surpasses understanding.” When we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our lives, we will experience the “fruits of the spirit” and then find “peace with others.” When we accept that “God is God” and make peace with God, then we can experience the true peace of God. Peace with others comes with reconciliation and forgiveness.
