Blessed Are the Peacemakers
And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:18
When I was a child, I had a good friend named Susan. During recess, whenever there was an argument about the rules of the game we were playing, Susan always seemed to find a way to settle the dispute so the game could continue. When there was tension between classmates, she somehow knew how to bring the angry parties together and help them reconcile. If I could speak with her today, I would tell her that she was the best peacemaker in our third-grade class!
How I wish it were that easy to make peace in our troubled world today. We see disagreements and division all around us, in our communities, our families, and in many nations.
James reminds us that peace is more than simply the absence of conflict. Peace is something we sow. Like a seed planted in good soil, every peaceful word, every act of forgiveness, every effort to listen rather than argue can become the beginning of something beautiful. And when we sow peace, James says, the result is a “harvest of righteousness.”
We may not be able to bring peace to the whole world, but we can begin where God has placed us. We can choose our words carefully. We can listen before responding. We can forgive when it is difficult. We can refuse to add fuel to an argument and instead look for ways to build bridges.
Perhaps being a peacemaker sometimes means being like Susan on the playground, someone willing to step into a difficult situation, calm the tension, and help people find their way back to one another.
Today, may we ask God to make us people who sow seeds of peace wherever we go. We may never know how those small seeds will grow.
Gracious God, thank You for being the source of true peace. Help us to be peacemakers in our homes, our friendships, our workplaces, and our communities. Give us gentle words when conversations become difficult, patience when others disagree with us, and courage to seek reconciliation when relationships are strained. Help us to sow seeds of peace, trusting You to bring about a harvest of righteousness. May our lives reflect the peace and love of Christ. Amen.