If you have been following my blog you most likely have noticed
a recurring theme, Peace! One of my favorite verses in the Bible comes from The
Sermon on the Mount where Jesus proclaims “Blessed are the peacemakers, for
they shall be called the children of God”. I am contemplating what it means to
be a peacemaker and how to personally live a life of peacemaking. Primarily, I
have seen this as someone who promotes world peace, advocating the end of war. This
limited understanding of peacemaking is easy to live out, but what I am seeking
is a lifestyle of peacefulness which is a little more complicated than simply protesting
war. Being a peacemaker involves the messiness of day to day relationships.
I am finding that remaining calm while in the midst of
conflict is no easy task. I do not like it when my personal peace is quickly
eroding and self-control gives way to feelings of anger. I am seeking tools to
disengage and take a step back from the edge. Breathe, I tell myself to breathe
deep breath after deep breath until I feel my peace return. I'll take a walk,
breathing in the calm and breathing out the toxic. When my mind clears and my
ability to think in terms of solutions returns I am able to fulfill the role of
peacemaker.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone
should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because
human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. (James 1:19-20)
“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on
your wrath (Ephesians 4:26)
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking
be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians
4:31-32)
Peace, Love and Light!
Kevin (Cloud)
1 comment:
Love this Cloud - and I'm right there with ya!
Peace (and Happy New Year)
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