What Makes For Peace

A few years ago we were studying the Beatitudes.

One my favourites remains the one that goes blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God.

I was sitting listening to a conversation take place, and that very verse came to mind.

In relationships, in times of contention, what do we do that works towards peace?

Experience has taught me – and continues to teach me – that often that which makes for peace is hugely costly. In fact what often appears to be the right way – to leave it, ignore it, move away from it – actually does not make for peace.  On the contrary – it makes for ever reason to maintain the hostility.  It allows the status quo to be reinforced.

What makes for peace at times requires tricky steps of self-awareness, humility, forgiveness, bearing with wrong, intentionally building the blocks that allow for right relationships to flourish.  What makes for peace is about what can be done to get us re-integrated.  Integrated.  Into each other.  Not just present with each other.  Not just engaging each other.  Into each other.  So that together we can build the whole and not just be parts loosely fitting in an awkward formation.

That is tough work.  That is no overnight job.  That is misunderstanding, rejection, anger, hurt and time to let those things heal – properly and live with each other in the process.  If we allow to heal, we do become stronger for it.  If we love each other in the process, we do come out richer for it.  That does not come, however, without those seemingly negative feelings and experiences.  For we are not faultless, mature, whole people in Christ – yet.

Indeed – it is these very hard relational experiences that builds Christ-like maturity.  For it is these very occasions that the fruit of the Sprit emerge.

Tough, however, to still search for a be peacemakers.

That’s why they’re so blessed.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden