Bringing Peace to the People

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall called children of God." These words were spoken by Jesus to a people who were experiencing very little peace in their lives. It was the promise that when you live a life built on the Prince of Peace, then regardless of what happens around you ~ there will be peace on the inside of you.

There has been little peace in the minds of people as of late. We, in America, are now five weeks post-election day; five weeks until inauguration day. There continues to be, for the first time in my remembrance, an upheaval about the transfer of power: recounts, conspiracy theories, disgust of transitional cabinet picks, etc. This upheaval is evident in the nightly news, the on-line news and the news that comes through the mouths of people at the water fountain.

What concerns me more, however, is that much of this upheaval is coming from some of those that consider themselves peacemakers. They subscribe the transforming power of God, the present activity of the Spirit of God and even believe that there is no other god above God. They speak about living in the peace of God, proclaim to others that God is trustworthy and persuade others to have faith that God is walking alongside of them (even as these people attempt the ministry of presence).

So why is it that those who are proclaiming these things continue to speak out on political issues by saying: my Christmas wish ~ no more political pundits. In the same stroke of the keyboard they say these things, their next post is about the disappointment felt with a new cabinet appointment, or a comment, or an action by someone with whom they disagree. They proclaim that destruction is coming to a town near you with the same vocal chords that read aloud "good news, of great joy to all people."

One of the things that I have often talked to my kids about is authenticity: be who you are at church, and at home and at school, an on the court, on the field, and you get the point. Let one voice be heard ~ that is the voice of the one that has brought you peace in your life. Peace in the middle of conflicts at church, in the middle of the strained marriage at home, in the middle of the bullying sessions at school, with the unfair treatment on the court, field, etc.

Do I have an opinion on the political process? Absolutely ~ for many years I wanted to run for, and be elected as, President of the United States. I have my opinion on what needs to happen in our country. The calling on my life, however, is much greater. I am to be a peacemaker. I am called to bring the Kingdom of God into the world of those that are experiencing chaos rather than peace. I did help myself this week to be that peacemaker. I made a hard decision to unfollow a friend ~ someone I count as a good friend ~ because I could not continue to hear that God can bring peace into our lives, and then shame others for their choices with the same breath. I need to continue to focus my vision on the one that takes the chaos of the world, our nation, and our very lives and brings peace. Only then, when I am living with peace, can I bring the same peace to those around me.