As I journaled hard things this morning, reflecting on recent difficult interactions, fears of impending events, and the struggles of both life and our nation, my husband entered and disrupted my train of thought. I tried to stay composed, all while my mind protested, don’t you know the storm brewing inside me right now?? My silence affected his exit, poor guy. Yet, as if on que, the moment cooled the steam of my soul and Jesus’ Words from the ‘mount so long ago, filtered into my spirit blessed are the peacemakers.
Life has felt like unsteady ground, at best… turmoil, at worst… ever since hubby was laid-off. Even now, by the absolute grace of God, he has secured a new and better position in much shorter order than expected. (Absolutely ALL glory and praise to God for His perfect timing and provision!) Yet, all overshadowed by some heart and health problems he is having, insurance not wanting to pay for his meds, my cancer jumping back (rather than inching) because a previous doctor dropped the ball on my treatment, another surgery coming, finances a wreck from lay-off and now we need to claw them back to stable, the returned cancer causing pain escalation just as we are prepping for summer markets…. It is all overwhelming enough, but then, we turn on the tv and fires are burning, people are shouting, facts are skewed or completely removed, chaos is everywhere… it even pops into social media feeds when people we care about feel the need to continue the shouting there.
It is so-much for a good Christian soldier’s heart to bear. We want truth, we want justice, we simply want to live, not constantly fight. To people we love and know who become captured by the din, we try to reach out, we try to reason, we try to pull them back… all too often it is too late and our hearts sink lower. Do we fight? Is this our battle? How and where do we stand in a world gone mad?
That whisper, blessed are the peacemakers, it would not leave. I breathed it in. OK, God. I’m not giving up, but I believe it is time to lay down the fight. The fit of turmoil spun into motion back with April’s difficult job news has pulled far too many things into it’s force. God is in control, He is a master of calming storms. Perhaps this latest, one beyond my control as it rests in the public square, not personal, is a reality-check.
If we don’t stoop to fight, the wind leaves their sails.
This is true for the personal battles in as much as it is for the ones beyond our reach. Carrying signs, screaming views, arguing when no one is listening… all of it gets us nowhere.
But.
What if we stand as light, a beacon, reflecting of God’s great Character?
We don’t give up the fight, we surrender it to God who fights the battles for us. We sing hymns, we speak truths, we project calm in the midst of chaos, we hold hope close… we are the quiet in the midst of the din. People who are weary of the fight will SEE, they will be drawn, they will come. Not all, though that would be nice. Scripture is clear: ALL are invited, but not all will come. (see Matthew 22 as one example). We can’t get hung out in the weeds though, begging and scraping where dirt is only kicked in our face.
Blessed are the peacemakers…
“Peacemakers”, in Greek, eirenopois, which means just as the word says, but I had to know more….
Formed by eirene + poieo = a state of national tranquility, exemption from the rage and havoc of war, harmony and peace because we are right with God and the lot in this place really doesn’t matter + to make, author of, appoint, ordain, to do, to act rightly.
Oh, I want that. I can feel that. Not that faith is to be a touchy-feely thing. Yet, we must admit how sailing in a boat with God offers calm in storms.
Yes, sometimes we need to speak up. Sometimes we need to say hard truths to people who don’t want to hear them. Sometimes we, ourselves, need to see hard truths and clear the overgrowth away for proper understanding. Even when we do nothing, quietly standing with God, letting His Word comfort our souls, is often doing the best kind of something. It not only gives us the ability to live our lives more peacefully, but it draws others to do the same. It douses fires rather than fans flames.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
~ Matthew 5:9 ~
The fact is, God “makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45b) He has a plan, one we often don’t understand until we are on the other side of it. He has one call for us in the midst of it, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” and for those who persecute your ideals. Speak truth in love when your voice is required and where it is rejected, walk away, pray, and trust God who hears – be His peacemaker.
Sitting now on the other side of this revelation, I feel the air is fresher. I can breathe, I can see, I can hope. My lot here personally and the lot which is currently rolling through culture, truly do not matter when eternity is secure. I can do my part but I need not be pulled into the deep, into the weeds, into the chaos – I can be the calm in the storm… the peacemaker. Will you join me?
Blessings,
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