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:
1.
Want to learn more about “Peacemaking”?
2.
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:
[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/.
Susan is married to
Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing,
and tutoring with the Literacy Council.
