Becoming a Peacemaker
Becoming a Peacemaker "A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace"
A woman recently said to me, "Pastor Dave, you really don’t know what goes on around hear. There are a lot of people who have personal issues and conflicts with one another." It’s true, I am not aware of all the personal conflicts going on in our church, but I have been around the block long enough to know that conflict is part of life. However, the Bible has much to say about being peacemakers. Here are some thoughts on how God can use YOU to be a peacemaker wherever you go.
First of all, SEEK PEACE. Psalm 34:14 reads, "Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it". Peace involves work and effort; it does not just happen naturally. Seek peace in your own life and relationships. Seek to be a peacemaker wherever you go in life. Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God" Matthew 5:9.
Secondly, ALLOW GOD TO SPEAK PEACE TO YOUR HEART. In order to be a peacemaker you have to be a person of peace. It is interesting to me that Jesus spoke words of peace to His disciples over and over again. In John 14:27 Jesus said to His disciples the night before He was crucified, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you to". The first words Jesus spoke to the disciples after the resurrection were, "Peace be with you" (John 20:21). Isaiah 9:6 states that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. When we know, love and walk with Jesus we will become children of peace to a broken and messed up world.
Lastly, SPEAK PEACE. Psalm 85: 8 reads, "Let me hear what the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints." Words of anger and bitterness are like gasoline on a fire, but words spoken in peace can quench the flames and calm hearts. When people come to you with complaints about other people, speak words of peace. Encourage others to look for the best in people, and to recognize that misunderstandings occur all the time in our human interactions. Paul wrote in Romans 12:18, "If possible, as far as it depends on you, live peaceable with all". Paul was a very feisty and strong willed man. Yet, he humbled himself and sought peace in his relationships with others. Peace is worth the price that we must pay to humble ourselves and to listen to others instead of insisting on our own way.
The prayer of St. Francis of Assisi begins with these beautiful words:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
Yes…you are called to be God’s instrument for peace on this earth and wherever you go. May Jesus make all of us peacemakers that we may be called the children of God!