...to guide our feet into the path of peace (Luke 1:79).

The streaming app Spotify released its annual “Wrapped” info a few weeks ago. “Wrapped” is simply data on what music listeners have streamed throughout the year: total minutes listened broken down into genre, specific artists, and songs; even the type of music you listened to during different parts of the day! Several friends shared their results, and it was interesting to see the range of everyone’s taste in music. I chose not to share mine, because the data is very telling…and the data doesn’t lie! :)

What would a “Wrapped” of 2022 look like for you?

How many minutes have been devoted to work, family, volunteering, sleep, exercise, hobbies, watching movies and tv, scrolling our phones, listening to music? How about praying, reading our Bible, going to church and small group? How many minutes were spent counting blessings versus grumbling about the injustices of life?

Ouch. The data doesn’t lie!

Not one of us has had a year that’s been perfectly balanced. It’s a mixed bag every year, and when December rolls around the prevailing message is, “Be merry! Be bright,” regardless of what state we happen to find ourselves in. It can start to seem that the best of Christians don’t feel anything but joy and peace. So what does it say about the rest of us? 

It says nothing! It’s good news that joy and peace can coexist with everything else this and every year has thrown at us. True joy and peace can come even in the midst of pain and suffering, sadness and grief. It doesn’t have to be either/or, and it’s often both/and! Joy and Peace arrived that first Christmas under less than perfect conditions to less than perfect people, and they arrive under the same conditions today.

If anyone tells you being a follower of Jesus means the end of earthly struggles and life is suddenly *perfect*, they're lying. Take a minute to thank God for his peace that passes understanding, that’s available to us no matter what else is happening all around.