“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.”
Matthew 5:9 (NIV)
As part of a Uni module, I was recently asked to share the preachers I enjoy listening to. Within that forum, it’s sometimes tempting to try and put the answer you think the tutor is looking for. I’m sure there were those on my course who had weighty preachers, such as Charles Spurgeon or John Wesley, on their minds, but if I’m honest, they rarely feature in my Youtube searches! I spend a lot of time reading articles and Bible commentaries that I can barely get my head around, so when I need some spiritual guidance, I look for a friendly face rather than an esteemed scholar.
How about you? Who are the preachers you enjoy listening to?
One of the names at the top of my list is Lisa Harper. Hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, Lisa is like a wise Aunt who tells it like it is while embracing you in a warm hug. She makes me laugh, and her teaching gives me the spiritual pick-me-up I often need. One of her videos popped up on my Youtube suggestions this weekend, so I decided to take a look.
Confession time!
I nearly stopped the clip when I spotted it was a get-together of a group of very well-groomed Christian women sitting in a circle in the centre of an immaculately decorated, well-lit studio. I’m aware that this says a lot more about me than it does about them, but I’ve never really attained ‘soccer Mum’ status, and they all seemed so perfect! I spotted Lisa in one of the chairs and decided to keep listening as they discussed the question:
What is robbing your peace?
What would be your answer to this question?
What lengths will you go to in order to keep the peace?
Lisa Harper shared with the group her childhood experience of living in a violent home. She described how seeing her parents fighting led her to seek peace in all relationships. Right into adulthood, she aimed to quell any hint of conflict or anger by keeping everyone happy and calming the situation as quickly as possible. I did not in any way have the same childhood experiences as Lisa, but I do understand the need to avoid conflict at all costs and keep the peace as much as possible.
If you can relate to this, then where does your motivation to keep the peace come from?
God asks us to be peacemakers, not peacekeepers, and Lisa emphasised the significant difference between the two.
Peacekeepers are driven by fear and desperately try to maintain the status quo hoping the problem or issue will disappear. A peacekeeper aims to keep everyone happy!
Peacemakers walk into daily conflicts with God. They bring humility and faith into a challenging situation, ensuring God is at the heart of the journey to peace. They don’t need to be driven by fear, as they are secure in God’s love no matter what may attempt to rob their peace.
As part of the discussion, Lisa mentioned a book called ‘The Peacemaker’ by Ken Sande. I downloaded the book immediately and was drawn in by the first few lines:
“Peacemakers are people who breathe grace. They draw continually on the goodness and power of Jesus Christ, and then they bring his love, mercy, forgiveness, strength, and wisdom to the conflicts of daily life. God delights to breathe his grace through peacemakers and use them to dissipate anger, improve understanding, promote justice, and encourage repentance and reconciliation.”
Ken Sande
Over the coming months, I aim to learn more about making peace through love instead of keeping peace through fear. I’ll keep you posted on how I get on!
Kay Moorby
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