Peace on Earth

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Peace on Earth

This is the time of year when I reacquaint myself with the stories surrounding the Nativity. Among those stories is the one of the shepherds out in the field as recorded in Luke chapter two and verse eight and on: “And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. An angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people.”

I put myself in the sandals of the Shepherd on that quiet, lonely, starlit night. Being the guardian of the sheep, he was always alert to potential dangers. Among his greatest fears would be the howling of a predator, sounds of a rustler set upon stealing his sheep, or the poverty that often came with his profession. Angelic messengers were a new threat that he had not experienced before.

Fear was not unique to the shepherds alone. People living in our modern society are also filled with fear. We fear wars, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis and a host of other terrors that are both increasing in frequency and nearness to where we live. Closer at hand, we fear health concerns found in the form of diseases such as cancers and ever increasing mental health concerns.

Jesus is the master of relieving our fears. We see this illustrated throughout His ministry. The demoniacs were a fearsome spectacle for the disciples with their lacerations and bruises and crusty blood. Jesus commanded their release and return to sanity. During the ferocious storm when life seemed perilous, Jesus was found asleep in the boat. Upon awakening, He is surprised at the consternation and speaks those commanding words, ‘Peace be still.’

The fear of the disciples was echoed by my oldest son when he was about 3 years of age. We were tobogganing on a hill in Sylvan Lake. We hit an unexpected bump and were elevated some distance into the air. My son called out, ‘Lord save us, or we will perish.’

“ The angel said… Do not be afraid; for behold I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people.

The words of the Angels served to quiet the shepherd’s fears, “Do not be afraid.” Jesus reminds us that these words apply to all times and circumstances. To all mankind comes the very same freedom from fear. That unconquerable sense of peace gives us the unique ability to face every danger. This is a heritage available to every child of God. No matter what danger may confront us, no matter what set of circumstances may threaten to overwhelm us, our lives can be entrusted to the care of an all caring God who has granted us His peace.

Gary Hodder, President, Alberta Conference