January 3, 2026

One Sunday morning, while resting at home to regain my strength after recent cancer treatment, I settled into my armchair to begin my Sunday worship. As I glanced around at my Christmas lights and decorations, my eyes wandered through every room and corner of the house. I quietly asked God, “Lord, are you pleased with our home? Are you pleased with all that we keep here? If there is anything you want us to remove or change, please let me know.” In the stillness of my living room, reflecting the calmness of my heart, the Holy Spirit impressed a single word upon me, as clearly as a tap on the shoulder: SHALOM.

SHALOM! Not an audible sound, but a gentle, clear greeting that my heart now recognizes—the voice of the One who calls Himself the Prince of Peace. For the next thirty minutes, I worshiped God, overwhelmed by a presence defined by Shalom—peace, abundant peace. I understood this as a sign of approval for the questions I had asked. Christ was pleased and responded by bringing me the most sought-after treasure for centuries—SHALOM.

Peace is not merely the absence of internal or external conflict, nor a fleeting moment of calm that soothes the mind apart from anxiety and troubling thoughts. It is not simply a heart free from anguish and sorrow. Shalom is the very first word the angels spoke to humanity when delivering God’s special messages. Shalom is the name of Christ, our Prince of Peace. He greeted His disciples amid turbulent waters, brought it to Mary and Martha’s bustling home gatherings, defined it as the foundation upon which a strong house can withstand life’s storms, gifted it to the widow of Nain when He raised her son,inscribed it on the heart of the adulterous woman when He forgave her, taught it to the multitudes through parables that drew their minds to God, instilled it in the apostles as they prepared to face the world’s dangers, and ultimately embodied it for us during the darkest hours in Gethsemane and on Golgotha.

Shalom was His comforting greeting to the fearful and timid disciples hiding in the upper room days after His death. I can only imagine how deeply they longed to hear that word and embrace the peace it promised in those uncertain moments.

Shalom, my friend, is the precious gift Christ desires to give you. Remember, He made the promise:” Peace I leave with you; My (perfect) peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.] (AMP Bible, John 14:27)

REFLECTION:

As you abide in Him and on these words of comfort He has given us, take time to identify and write down the areas of your life that need change or a realignment of your priorities.

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For me, it was a simple question about my house that prompted His peaceful approach.  What is yours?  He promised that in every circumstance and situation, when we make our requests known to Him, His peace that transcends all understanding, would guard our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7). He always lives up to His Name!

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me”. (John 15:4)