Becoming a Peacemaker in a World Without Peace

Hey y’all, I have had something on my heart over the past few weeks, really months, and wanted to share in hopes that it will be an encouragement to you, as it has been to me:

Last March, on my birthday, I started a plan to read a Psalm a day. I’ve missed a few here and there, but am on track to finish by my birthday this year. The Psalms are such a beautiful gift because they give us a window into the raw, honest emotions that David and others experienced in their relationship with the Lord. And truth be told, we can all identify and find hope there.

There isn’t one that doesn’t speak to me in some way, but as I worked through Psalm 120 some weeks ago, I found myself stuck and truly, at a loss, on verse 6 that says:

“I am tired of living among people who hate peace. I search for peace; but when I speak of peace, they want war!”

People who hate peace? Who in the world would hate peace? I tried to understand and think of someone I knew who wouldn’t want everyone to get along. But it just left me at a loss. I mean, in every beauty pageant in the world, someone has said they wished for “world peace.” Wouldn’t everyone agree on that?

But y’all, as I turned on the news and scrolled through social media, I remembered that there are those people out there…and that wasn’t just a problem in David’s day. Those people thrive on turning heads, riling people up, and causing division. Their hearts are not turned toward the Lord, but the world…and all the things in it. And my guess is, they don’t know, truly know, that peace is attainable, because they don’t know the One who can share it.

Now, with that said, I feel like there are also those who know the Lord, but are struggling with where He is in all of this mess. When they see the turmoil, the chaos, the constant strife boiling over on our tv screens, they might be thinking that the Lord has left us because He’s allowing all of these bad, hard things to happen. That if He were real, He would answer the prayers of all the Believers praying to Him for healing and peace in our land, and their frustrations boil over at times. But there’s something we have to remember, y’all.

Jesus never promised peace in this world…He promised peace in our hearts through Him.

“I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT

“Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father…I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:28, 33 NLT

The peace He offers is personal and two-fold, y’all. For our mind and our heart. It’s something that is unattainable in any other way than coming to Him…not through other people, finances, substances, or our own abilities…but through His Word and presence.

He never said that trials would be taken away. That sorrows would cease. But He reminded us Who has overcome…and it’s not anyone here on this earth. Only Jesus.

So for those of us who have chosen Him, that’s good news! That we can have peace…a beautiful, intimate, soul-resting peace as we draw closer to Him. But that reminder is not the end of the story, y’all. As recipients of this peace, we have an obligation…a duty as Christ followers…to share that peace with others and show them Who it comes from.

“God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9 NLT

“Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14 NLT

“For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.” 1 Peter 3:10-11 NLT

“Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 NLT

Not necessarily fun to hear, right? So what do we do with that? How do we become peacemakers in a world full of people that hate peace?

1. We remain “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry” (James 1:19).
2. We stand by our convictions based on God’s Word, but we “speak truth in love “as we try to grow more and more like Jesus (Ephesians 4:15).
3. We keep growing our roots into the Lord (Ephesians 3:17) in order to be “strong and immovable” (1 Cor.15:58) and keep from growing weary (Galatians 6:9) in our pursuit of of peace.

I recently found a box of old nametags that took me down memory lane, as each one bore a “title” I once held. Zig Zag Staffer, Gayfer Girl, Diamond Doll, and more. But as I looked through that box, I realized that one title I hope to be given more than any other, is Peacemaker, so that one day, I will be called a “child of God.” This moment in time, more than any other so far, is our chance to earn it.

Praying for all of us to show this world where the gift of peace can be found…and be willing to share it.