Peace

“BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERES, FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF GOD”

Jesus offers us a peace that is different from the peace of this world; it is Shalom. It is the total harmony of all relationships for which we were created for and it is only experienced when we let God be God. We will always feel uneasy and dissatisfied when we have something else sitting in Gods place.

I am someone who absolutely dislikes confrontation or making people upset with me. Some might speculate that I don’t want to disturb the peace, but I think they’re wrong. If I truly wanted to cultivate shalom, I would be okay “stirring the pot” or offending people by the way I follow and proclaim Jesus—of course, not intentionally. The eighth beatitude tells of the consequence that will follow having the first seven. I don’t want to be rejected or criticized, but shalom is experienced through the cross. As I listened, I remembered that a crucifixion is always painful, slow, and public. Jesus has called me, and all of us, to live with self-giving-sacrificial-servant love which requires us to go to the cross. By doing so, we are peacemakers.  

Lord, show me the way to Calvary and help me carry my cross there. Show me where I resist You and put back in to place things that I idol. Would I experience your peace and make peace here on earth.