Peacemakers
Are you a peacekeeper or a peacemaker? You may believe they’re the same, but they are not.
Peacekeepers believe in peace at any price. Peacekeepers are parents who won’t admit the myriad of symptoms their teen exhibits mean he is doing drugs. Peacekeepers are wives who excuse their husband’s brutality as stress from his job. Peacekeepers, sometimes, are pastors’ wives who assert that their church people always love each other and never have any problems. Peacemakers, however, admit conflict happens and openly confront the problem to bring about a resolution. Peacemakers know a period of discomfort is the price of healthy, honest relationships.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). So why, if the Bible says that peacemakers will be called children of God, isn’t that what people call me? Is it because my version of peacemaking has been to find the quickest, least troublesome solution? Do I believe maintaining status quo is more important than admitting there’s something wrong and dealing with the problem? Could it be because when I finally get around to peacemaking the situation has reached such a fever pitch that the parties are in a full-scale war and aren’t interested in reconciliation? Maybe it is because I concentrate more on people’s opinions than in following what Jesus tells me to do.
One of the most difficult responsibilities of leadership is correcting sheep gone astray. It is so much easier to give warm fuzzies. Yet gentle correction is as necessary in God’s family as in our own. When you have to confront a wrong, remember to be obedient to God’s principles. Facing tough situations by adhering to God’s Word will keep you from taking sides. Make sure you speak the truth in love. Something more easily done when you’ve spent time in prayer preparing for the encounter. Finally, address problems while they’re small. It is easier to deal with one small blaze than a whole forest fire. Be committed to peacemaking, not peacekeeping.
[Reprinted by permission from Brynwood Publishing.]
