“If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:18
Consider for a moment this question: Does “peace-making” always mean “peace – achieving”? Well, the immediate answer will have to be “no”. There are going to be times when, even after your very best efforts at peace with somebody, it will seem that peace has not been achieved.There’s always going to be someone who will rub you up the wrong way; that brother or sister in Christ that will avoid greeting you; the individual who, despite your best efforts, will gossip about you behind your back;the individual who can just not stand the sight of you. Friend, may I venture to say – that’s ok! Not everyone you encounter in the journey of life and faith, is going to be your bosom buddy. It would be nice if we could all just be like little children in a playground, look past one another’s faults, and just get along. Sadly in this imperfect world, that’s not always possible.
Jesus, the greatest peacemaker of them all, lived and breathed peace. He died so that sinners could find peace with God. However, you know what? He still had the Peter who denied Him; the Judas who betrayed Him; the crowd that crucified Him. As peacemakers, let us long for peace, work for peace and sacrifice for peace. However, if that peace is not attained, by God’s grace we can walk away from the table knowing that we have done the humanly possible, and entrust the rest to God. Remember, only He can change hearts!
Prayer: Peace-loving Father, may I too love Peace; May peace be that which I seek Peace-making Father, may peace be my aim In my thoughts, my deeds; in that which I speak.
