Jonathan Huggins, Chaplain at Berry College and a fellow of the Center for Pastor Theologians, shares profound insights on peace during Advent. He redefines shalom, discussing its impact on our relationships with God and ourselves. Huggins emphasizes the importance of spiritual practices for cultivating inner tranquility in an anxiety-filled world. He explores the significance of the Sabbath and the transformative journey towards rest and renewal, encouraging listeners to seek deeper connections with Jesus amidst modern distractions.
The Gospel redefines shalom as a deep relational peace with God and ourselves, fostering psychological rest amid modern anxieties.
Engaging in intentional spiritual practices cultivates a transformative relationship with God, enabling believers to reflect Christ's character.
Deep dives
Establishing Shalom Through the Gospel
The gospel creates a relational atmosphere of shalom, which encompasses peace, rest, wholeness, and goodwill between humanity and God. This transformation establishes both an outer peace with God and an inner peace, providing a psychological foundation for believers. The concept of shalom goes beyond mere absence of conflict, offering a profound sense of rest for the soul, mind, and heart. In a world filled with anxiety and turmoil, the gospel invites individuals to experience this restorative peace intimately.
The Importance of Rest in Formation
Rest is presented as a foundational theme throughout the Bible, beginning with God's rest after creation and extending to the rest found in Jesus Christ. By emphasizing the need for rest, the message encourages individuals to operate from a state of restoration and not merely exhaustion. Jesus offers rest to the weary, highlighting that true peace comes from a relationship with Him rather than external factors. This biblical concept of rest serves as a prerequisite for spiritual formation and engaging in good works, allowing for a non-anxious pursuit of Christlikeness.
Responding to God's Offer of Rest
The narratives in the Old Testament, such as Jeremiah and Isaiah, illustrate humanity's resistance to accepting God's offers of rest, often opting for anxious pursuits instead. Despite the divine invitation to find peace and stability, many choose to cling to their worries, demonstrating a distrust in God's providence. These scriptural accounts serve as a reminder of the ongoing struggle to relinquish control and embrace the grace offered through faith. Recognizing and responding to God's invitation is essential to experiencing genuine rest, which in turn fosters spiritual growth and healing.
Active Engagement in Spiritual Formation
Engaging in spiritual formation involves intentional practices, such as prayer, Scripture reading, and community involvement, leading to a more profound relationship with God. The concepts of ascesis and acedia are introduced to contrast active soul formation against spiritual laziness and distraction prevalent in modern culture. This process of becoming like Christ is rooted in a loving relationship that promotes growth and healing rather than anxiety. By disciplining oneself to remain engaged with God, believers cultivate the mind of Christ and reflect His character in the world.
Jonathan Huggins joins us on the podcast today with a sermon for the season of Advent reflecting on peace. How does the Gospel redefine shalom—peace—with God, within ourselves, and with others? How can we maintain relational and psychological rest in our souls when facing the anxiety-producing situations of our modern world?
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