Age and experience have a way of changing a person’s outlook on life. In my younger years, I thought that this world had so much to offer. Now, as my hair continues to gray, more and more I am coming to realize how much of it is so very shallow. In principle, I’ve known this to be true all along, but now I can see it all more clearly. We would all be hopelessly lost were it not for the coming of the Prince of Peace!

Nowhere is this need more evident than with our government. The year 2013 was marked by excessive bickering, arm-twisting, and politically correct–but morally deficient–behavior. And it’s not simply a matter of conservatives being upset with a liberal president; we’re talking about a serious lack of confidence in government leaders of all political parties.

photo credit: Wikileaks Mobile Information Collection Unit via photopin cc

I think most of our problems can be traced to two inherent issues: a lack of trust and a misunderstanding of freedom. People in almost every facet of society are filled with anxiety because they don’t feel they can trust government leaders, corporate leaders, or even religious leaders. Also, collectively we long for freedom, but a free society driven by selfish behavior can’t help but implode. It’s unavoidable. A free people can coexist only as they seek the common good above their own self-interests.

All of this makes me especially appreciative not only of Jesus, but of His coming kingdom. In its beauty, the kingdom of God rises far above every human institution. Through the kingdom of God, our ideal hopes become reality.

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;

And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness

From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:6-7 (NASB)

Jesus, the Prince of Peace, came to earth to establish His kingdom of peace. Sadly, the human race had no room for Him. The Prince of Peace was born in a stable because we could not—or would not—make room for Him. How ironic that we make no room for the Prince of Peace and then blame God for all of the chaos in our world!

Many of us are overwhelmed by the burdens of our age—and what heavy burdens they can be! But are we making room in our hearts and lives for the Prince of Peace? Or do we too squeeze Him to the margins of our existence?

Don’t be deceived by Christ’s humble stature. The Prince of Peace is also the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He does not exist for us; we exist for Him.

The blessings of Christ’s kingdom are intended to flood our lives like the waves of the ocean. But only those who yield to His will and His ways will experience the full measure of His glory—and of His peace. Can there be a better time than now to make room for the Prince of Peace?