Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9 [NIV]
Are you a child of God? Are you a peacemaker? At the moment I can say that peace seems to be in short supply – in place of peace, I more commonly see conflict, unrest, distrust, abuse and greed everywhere. Peacemaking is a thankless and sometimes dangerous task. It involves putting things right and reconciling differences.
But today I want to think about the peace within ourselves. The peace that comes from God is nothing like the peace the world can provide. Here is what Jesus said:
I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn't like the peace that this world can give. So don't be worried or afraid. John 14:27 [CEV]
How can we achieve this peace, this grace, this love, this faith…? It comes from God and his Spirit directing our thoughts, actions and re-actions. Without a peaceful soul we cannot have a peaceful heart or a peaceful mind. Choosing to sin involves denying the truth and ignoring one's conscience. Regaining peace requires confession, repentance and forgiveness. Sometimes we can avoid these steps – but in doing so we are denying the truth and upsetting the peace that we know we can access if we would only be led by the Spirit.
If I can put myself right and find that inner peace from submitting to the will of God, then there is a chance that I will be a peacemaker in my relationships with others.
Lord, give us your peace today so that we may be peacemakers in the world. Thank you for adopting me as your child, help me to be obedient to your will for me. Amen.
Dave MacLellan
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