By Allen White
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of
God. Matthew 5:9
Who are the peacemakers? Well, let’s start by defining who they
are not.
This verse doesn’t say: Blessed are those who sweep everything
under the rug, for they shall trip over the hump.
Nor does it say: Blessed are those who live in denial, for this
too shall pass.
And, it really doesn’t say: Blessed are the passive-aggressive who
will ignore this but will ultimately get you in the end.
Peacekeepers are not peacemakers. When we think of military
peacekeepers, we think of the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces. They are a
presence in a region solely to maintain the peace. If they carry weapons, they
are forbidden to use them. They are basically impotent in making peace, but if
there is peace they can keep it.
Many of us are peacekeepers. We don’t want to rock the boat. We
just want to have peace. We cling to peace to the point of avoiding or ignoring
conflict. We avoid anything that interferes with our serenity. The problem is
that avoidance and denial won’t keep the peace. Sooner or later, the situation
will fall apart, and peace is nowhere to be found.
Peacemakers create peace. These are the folks that Jesus blessed.
When there is strife and disagreement, peacemakers seek the other person out
(Matthew 5:23-24; 18:15), and address the issue. They are “quick to listen,
slow to speak, and slow to become angry” (James 1:19). Peacemakers try to see
both sides of the issue and resolve the problem.
Peacemakers aren’t perfect. They aren’t always right. They believe
that the relationship is more important than justifying themselves.
Peacemakers don’t avoid conflict. They enter it. Peacemakers have
healthy boundaries. They don’t let other people trample over them. But, they
don’t run over other people either. Peacemakers don’t insist on peace at any
cost. Often they will give up their own freedom to create peace in a
relationship.
The promise to the peacemakers is that they will be called the
sons of God. Peacemakers are like Jesus. They don’t shy away from hard things,
and they don’t cause unnecessary trouble.
Where do you need to make peace today? Who are you having a
difficult time with? What is your first step toward making peace?
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