Day Nine
Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
Who are the peacemakers? We have idolized peacemakers into these people who are quiet and in the background who live peaceful quiet lives. That is far from the truth. Peacemakers is a word made up of two parts: “Peace and Makers”. The second part of this word makes peace into an active word. It makes peacemakers into someone who gets involved. These are not people who avoid conflict. They are the people who step into conflict to resolve it. They are warriors. They have to have tough skin because they will often come away being the person bruised the most with both sides having a new person to dislike: the peacemaker.
First Warriors are not fighters. Fighters are those who will stir up a fight just because it is the way they handle problems in their lives. They do not think beyond the fight. Warriors are thinkers. But not all warriors are the same. Some Warriors intervene to control. They know what will keep people in line. The peace they are looking for is the kind that keeps people in line. They are more about keeping their form of peace.
God doesn’t want that, but instead He wants our individuality to shine like beacons of light. The Warriors, who are called Peacemakers, are those that guide people to a better way of living. They help people resolve their conflict. They step up to speak against sin. They are builders of God’s kingdom. They are brave teachers of the Word of God. They face attacks from those who are afraid that people might listen to them. I know several of these people. They are respectful and caring and guiding. All of these components are factions of Peacemakers. Those, who make peace with those that are in conflict and who confront sin in a loving and caring way, are the ones that will be called children of God.
I believe we are all called to be peacemakers. Parents are often peacemakers when solving a conflict between their children. Teachers often do the same. Bosses often have to solve conflicts between coworkers. We are called to be peacemakers among those who are our friends, family, and coworkers. We are not called to be fighters who accuse and attack, but resolve situations. We are called to be peacemakers.
I call myself two things when it comes to my faith. The first is that I am a failed Christian. Every day I get up and plan to walk close with Jesus, but every night somewhere along the way I have failed. Some days I fail just a little bit and others I have totally broken everything that is possible for me to break. I became better, but I still fail. The second is that I am a Warrior born. When I accepted Christ as my Savior, I was reborn, and year by year, month by month, week by week and day by day, I became a warrior. Warriors for Christ are called to be Peacemakers. It is one of my purposes. On days I fail, I have to remember to be thankful for the lesson I received, and to confess my failings.
Learning to be a peacemaker means letting go of old ways of handling things. It means helping others resolve a situation. It means risking being called names for calling out sin. It means helping others learn how to resolve a situation. It means being strong in kindness.
Today’s Question:
When have you been a peacemaker?
Ever in God’s Love,
Mary Elizabeth Todd
November 20, 2024
Ruhamah United Methodist Church Bible Verses 