Peace and Peacemaking
Stop.
Close your eyes and repeatedly say the word “peace” either aloud (quietly) or in your head. Allow yourself to slow down, breathe, and center your thoughts.
Listen.
“…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9).
Reflect.
As the apostle Paul is imprisoned and eventually executed, he teaches us that, if we want peace, we need to do whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, and commendable. In the book of Matthew, Jesus is speaking to a crowd and says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9).
What does peace mean to you? What does peacemaking look like in practice? In his recent book Portraits of Peace, Minnesotan author and photographer John Noltner works to shed light on peace and hope in America. He was disappointed with the increasing divisiveness of our world, so he set out on a 40,000-mile road trip across the country. Noltner interviewed people from all walks of life and asked, “What does peace mean to you?” His book is an opportunity to listen and hear stories from others.
Through his journey, Noltner moved outside of his comfort zone and into new territory. He started with a daring decision to sell his home and set out on a journey to meet people where they are. He encountered obstacles. He entered into difficult conversations. And he listened – not for what he wanted to hear, but for what people needed to say.
As Lutheran pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “There is no way to peace along the way of safety. For peace must be dared. It is the great venture. It can never be made safe. Peace is the opposite of security…peace means to give oneself altogether to the law of God… Battles are won, not with weapons, but with God. They are won where the way leads to the cross.” Peace and peacemaking aren’t easy tasks. It’s asking you to be vulnerable, to listen, to move beyond the comfort and safety of the familiar.
So what do we do to be peacemakers in the midst of divisiveness and our own fears? We listen. We open ourselves to hear the stories others need to share with open ears and hearts even when it’s hard. We search for hope. We try because we believe in something better. A better, more peace-filled future and a community that chooses beauty, wisdom, and – above all else – love.
Pray.
“Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may move every human heart; that the barriers dividing us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; and that, with our divisions healed, we may live in justice and peace; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” – Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 79
Carry On.
Join us on Wednesday evenings for “On the Road: We are not there yet. We are on the way together.” The study invites us to explore who we are. We’ll dig into God’s word, seek better understanding of the history of this church, and work to be open to new callings for mission and ministry. Visit easter.org/learning for details.