Share the Gift of Peace
Share the Gift of Peace
As I am blogging through the beatitudes, we come to verse 9, Blessed are the peacemakers and of course… the peace sifted right out of my life. This is the most wonderful time of the year, but it can also be the most chaotic, busiest, and void of harmony. We are flawed and broken and despite our best efforts to love others, to serve and to be great givers, sometimes we find our self in a place that is void of any peace whatsoever. Anybody been there? Our minds run rampant, our pain digs up hurt we thought had been buried, our opinions lead us astray and our selfishness says this is so unfair.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Matthew 5:9
Who are the peacemakers? Does God really expect us to have peace with all people at all times? We want to say things like, well this is just how I am, my personality is like this or that, I was raised to… We say we are surrendered to our Savior, yet we cling to our way, our will and our rights. You know, as I pause and just consider the example I am to follow – Jesus – I don’t see Him demanding His way. I don’t see Him chasing His own will. I don’t see Him declaring His rights. What we read in God’s word is how Jesus loved unconditionally, how He freely forgave, how He never condemned, how He lived out obedience to His Father.
So, how are we – the broken, messed up, damaged, and flawed - to be peacemakers? It is simply impossible for us on our own. This is the highest level of intimacy with Jesus. It requires us getting our self out of the way and allowing Jesus to not only dwell within us, but to be in control of our words, our actions and reactions and even our thoughts. Like Him, we are to love God with all of our heart, all of our soul and all of our mind and be compelled out of that deep love to walk surrendered in total obedience to God – even to the point of death of our self.
Billy Graham said of peace…
“The world doesn’t give peace, for it doesn’t have any peace to give. It fights for peace, it negotiates for peace, it maneuvers for peace, but there is no ultimate peace in the world. But Jesus gives peace to those who put their trust in Him. If you have received His peace, then you are in His camp. But if you have rejected it, then you are against Him. His peace is available to everyone who will receive it.”
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
—John 16:33
Peace is a gift we have been given as a child of God. Have you unwrapped your gift? Have you accepted His peace that passes all understanding of those who do not know Him? Do you trust Him, really trust Him, so that you can rest in that peace and become a peacemaker? Blessed are the peacemakers.
Peacemakers are not weak – they are strong. Peacemakers don’t rant – they lovingly respond. Peacemakers are not passive aggressive – they seek reconciliation. Peacemakers don’t complain - they are grateful. Peacemakers don’t gossip – they pray for others. Peacemakers don’t judge – they recognize, but for the grace of God, there go I. Peacemakers are not proud – they realize that all good gifts come from above.
Peacemakers are grace givers – offering forgiveness – and restoring relationships whenever possible.
Peacemakers want healing among the people – which is dependent upon reconciliation with God.
Peacemakers are others-oriented and concerned with how the Kingdom would be affected.
Peacemakers first have peace with God.
Peacemakers are called Children of God. It is an attribute that acknowledges our relationship with the Lord and our place in His family. We have been given a great gift and because we have the gift of peace – it is one we can freely offer to others. It may not always be easy, it may not come natural, it may not seem fair, but obedience to our heavenly Father is always the right thing to do.
You have been given the gift of peace, therefore you can share the gift of peace.
Peace I wish for you – especially during the sweet time of year celebrating the birth of our Savior. The greatest gift ever given.
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