Fireworks of Life

<p>On New Year&rsquo;s Eve, when high-powered fireworks detonate across cities and towns worldwide, the noise is loud on purpose. By their nature, say manufacturers, flashy fireworks are meant to split the atmosphere, literally. &ldquo;Repeater&rdquo; blasts can sound the loudest, especially when exploded near the ground.</p> <p>Troubles, too, can boom through our hearts, minds, and homes. The &ldquo;fireworks&rdquo; of life&mdash;family struggles, relationship problems, work challenges, financial strain, even church division&mdash;can feel like explosions, rattling our emotional atmosphere.</p> <p>Yet we know the One who lifts us over this uproar. Christ Himself &ldquo;is our peace,&rdquo; Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:14. When we abide in His presence, His peace is greater than any disruption, quieting the noise of any worry, hurt, or disunity.</p> <p>This would have been powerful assurance to Jews and Gentiles alike. They had once lived &ldquo;without hope and without God in the world&rdquo; (v. 12). Now they faced threats of persecution and internal threats of division. But in Christ, they&rsquo;d been brought near to Him, and consequently to each other, by His blood. &ldquo;For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility&rdquo; (v. 14).</p> <p>As we start a New Year, with threats of unrest and division ever rumbling on the horizon, let&rsquo;s turn from life&rsquo;s noisy trials to seek our ever present Peace. He quiets the booms, healing us.</p>