Blessed Are The Peace-MAKERS
By Susan Klein
“Peacemakers who sow
in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”
James 3:18 (NIV)
Sitting in a crowded
coffee shop, I couldn’t help but overhear the conversation between two women at
the table just inches from mine. “Everyone in my family is so stressed and
angry all the time. I feel like I’m always walking on eggshells around them. I
don’t want to say or do anything to make matters worse. I just try to keep the
peace, you know - - stay upbeat.” I had
to wonder how this dear woman’s circumstances were going to change by staying
“upbeat.”
A common
misconception that “peacekeeping” and “peacemaking” are one and the same couldn’t
be further from the truth. Like this woman alluded to, peacekeeping involves
avoiding the strife or conflict. It is merely keeping a status quo, not
addressing the issue. The strife still exists, just lingering under the
surface, temporarily out of sight. Left unresolved, it will likely bubble back
to the surface when the right button is pushed. Peacekeeping is more a calling
of “truce,” not necessarily a means of reconciliation. It won’t lead to a
harvest of righteousness.
Peacemaking is a
different matter altogether. It involves sowing, or action, as implied by the
verse above. It is taking proactive (sometimes difficult) steps toward dealing
with, and hopefully ending, the strife. It is the biblical response to
conflict. In Genesis 13, Abraham demonstrated peacemaking skills with his
nephew, Lot. When they came to Bethel, the land could not sustain all the
animals and people of their tribes together. Fights and quarrels broke out
among their herdsmen over the land. Abraham didn’t try to “keep the peace” or
smooth things over by placating the men. He graciously decided to give Lot
first choice of the land while he moved his flocks elsewhere. This ended the
conflict and created an atmosphere of peace. God blessed Abraham’s choice.
Recognizing that God
is Sovereign, and that every conflict that comes into our lives is ordained by
Him for His great purpose, we ought to seriously consider how we respond to
that conflict. Are we acknowledging His presence in the midst of the trial? Are
we seeking to glorify Him with our response? Are we learning what He is trying
to teach us through the strife? Are we attempting to minister to someone else
in the heat of the conflict?
Peacemaking, not
peacekeeping, produces a harvest of righteousness.
GOING DEEPER:
- Want to learn more about “Peacemaking”?
- Be equipped at a Wednesday Night Community on-site small group at
Oakwood this fall entitled “Resolving Everyday Conflict,” a video series
by Peacemaker Ministries. Or, read the book The Peacemaker by Ken Sande. [1]
FURTHER
READING:
Susan
is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible
studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of
the Peace Team at Oakwood and also co-leads an on-site small group.
[1]
This book is available to borrow at the Oakwood Church library or can be
purchased on many websites, including http://peacemaker-ministries.mybigcommerce.com/the-peacemaker/.
