A few months ago, I listened as a daughter commemorated the life of her father at a memorial service. Among all the man’s accolades and accomplishments, she highlighted most of all how peaceful he lived in such a chaotic and busy world. She described him as one who “walked as though his reservation had already been booked.” That simple phrase really struck me as I began to think about the way in which I live my life.
I can so often go day to day with seemingly the opposite reality in mind, as if I’m hurrying to make it to the restaurant five minutes before the close…frantic, anxious, and typically not patient or gracious with others.
Paul writes of a game-changing truth that should bring about a life-altering peace if we truly sit in its truth…Jesus already won the battle. Death has been defeated. In Christ, we received His victory before we even woke up this morning. Before we uttered a word. We have victory. Victory over broken bodies, broken relationships, broken worlds, and ultimately a broken life…restoring in us the power to enter into that victory with Him.
The question is, do we truly believe He’s defeated death once and for all? I know in my arrogance and pride, I somehow convince myself there’s still heavy lifting God needs me to do to win the war. But He so graciously reminds me that, in reality, joy and peace await me if, instead, I receive His love and enter into His victory for my life.