On Becoming a Peacemaker

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)