“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”  Matthew 5:9

It’s a troubled world – disease, discord, dissent, discrimination, disappointment.  Yet in the midst of this Jesus still declares, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”   What could this mean for us?

We look around us.  We see so few “peacemakers”.  As a nation, we look for peacemakers in our leadership; often we are disappointed. We look for peacemakers in our racial relationships and sadly find that we still see discrimination.   We look for peacemakers in the Christian church, we find dissent. Even among our family relationships, we sometimes find discord.

It’s overwhelming, isn’t it.  What can I do?   Being a “peacemaker” even on a very small level isn’t easy.  It takes lots of listening, understanding how others feel, and what makes them feel that way.   It takes putting aside judgement or criticism.   It takes walking in someone else’s boots.   I think that’s true in families, churches, and surely in race relationships.

Personally, I am blessed with a son-in-law, a man of color.   As our relationship grows, I am inspired to learn and to listen.  I’m discovering just a little of what it means to be black. What an opportunity, that even at my age, I can grow beyond that privileged “little white girl.”  And, in the process, can I be a peacemaker?

I am blessed with grandchildren who confidently stand up for human rights.  When they see injustice, they find a way to support the oppressed.  I have hope for the future when I see young people unafraid to stand up for their beliefs.  I encourage them, will they be peacemakers?

In the book of Genesis we read the story of Joseph, cast into a pit by his brothers, sold into slavery, thrown into Pharaoh’s prison.  It’s just a few pages, we read in quickly.  But for Joseph, it was many years of his life.   Despite the cruelty he endured, Joseph found it in himself to forgive his brothers.  He was a peacemaker.  

What can we do?  Start small, listen, forgive, be a peacemaker where we are.  Our God overwhelms us with his unconditional love.    Let’s not keep that love to ourselves, let’s let it flow out, let’s share.  In so doing, we too just may be peacemakers.

Judy