Friday Fight 207: Peace Seekers to Peace Makers
Every Friday, when I wake and pray, God places something on my heart to help fight darkness beginning in our minds. Today is FF207.
How many of us spend countless hours a week trying to have a more peaceful life? Many can compile long lists of our efforts that have likely rendered ineffective. When envisioning a quiet life, what comes to mind? Topics that avoid politics, spending money, house repairs, or stressful environments like traffic or crowded gatherings. In short, we are peace seekers, trying our best to prevent conflict and avoid chaos. Let's see what the Bible shows us about how to be someone who keeps the peace in our lives.
Peace Seekers to Peace Makers:
How many of us have openly stated our desire for a peaceful life? It is a common misunderstanding that peace is simply the absence of conflict, but this is not the case. Many of us are peace seekers, although that is not a commonly used word in our language. A peace seeker goes to great lengths to seek out avenues that travel through various areas of tranquility. It could include avoiding people and expectations in the name of healthy boundaries. True peace comes from a relationship with Christ through modeling and support. It means addressing conflict, but the correct ones with a constructive posture.
For us to understand peace through a Biblical lens, let's examine peacemaking through the life of Christ. A peacemaker is not a person who avoids everything, shying away from turmoil and difficulty. Still, there is wisdom in being selective about which conflict we want to address. Suppose we approach all challenges and altercations with the mindset of merely engaging; we end up chasing conflicts rather than building resolutions. Christ would not avoid conflict; He embraced it, prayed, and engaged in those that would bring healing and restoration. In His ministry, He spoke against the injustices He saw, but His words were rooted in love with the goal of reconciling people. We learn through Christ that we can choose to address conflict and not disrespect others' character. Anyone can be a peace seeker with long lists of attaining harmony. However, a peacemaker works on behalf of Christ, which can bring generational healing instead of avoiding one another to keep the more general peace.
Choosing only righteous conflict can be difficult to discern, especially when anger fills our flesh. A productive and open dialogue will help build a respectful environment that reflects the character of Christ through grace and forgiveness. James 3:17-18 "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness." It reveals how having wisdom in discernment enables effective peacemaking. Our minds must focus on Christ's love and leading others to loving and compassionate outcomes. Does this mean people can do and say whatever they want? Absolutely not. In peacemaking, we seek the truth while standing up for what is right, pure, and just. We would advocate for what is morally good and stand up for those more vulnerable in difficult situations. In seeking only righteous conflict, we work to reduce fear and strengthen our communities by supporting others instead of pursuing peace for purely selfish reasons. Ask God for wisdom and direction to navigate conflict with His love and the heart of Jesus in a world of chaos.
Pastor Shannon
River Church