Being a Bridge Builder instead of a Wall Builder

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”   

 - Jesus in Matthew 5:9  NIV

    We have received righteousness as a gift from God through Christ and this righteousness has given us peace with God.  Peace with God makes it possible for us to enjoy personal peace as we confidently trust in the power, love and wisdom of our Heavenly Father.  We can have peace in all circumstances because we know that God is always working for our good.

    If we want to enjoy the blessing of peace to the fullest, we will share this blessing with others.  Because we know that God is working for our good and because we know God has our back, we can be peacemakers in this world full of conflict.  We don’t have to fight to get our own way.  We don’t have to worry whether or not we are being treated fairly.

    This week, start each day by asking God to show you where you can sow seeds of peace.  Here are some ideas, but be sure to ask God for ideas specific to your life.

•  Pray for an existing conflict in the world. 

•  Do something kind for a difficult person in your workplace.

•  Seek to connect with a friend who has been distanced from you.

Remember, God’s people are bridge builders, not wall builders.

Praying for God's Blessing on Our Enemies

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another.      Romans 12:14-16  NIV

   While few of us have the opportunity to influence peace on a global or scale, or even just for our own country, we do have a mostly overlooked way to spread peace in our own sphere of influence.  Peace is something that spreads through webs of relationships, so even small actions by a few individuals can have a rippling effect  that accomplishes more than we can imagine.

    What is this opportunity that we all have?  It’s the opportunity to pray for and bless our enemies.  When we use the grace God has given us to pray for those who have caused us pain and ask for God’s blessing on them, we revolutionize our attitude toward them and we begin a ripple of peace.  This week, make a short list of people who have brought difficulty into your life.  Commit to praying for God’s blessing on them every day this week.  Don’t ask God to make them treat you better, just simply trust God to work for good in their lives in the way that he knows is best.  You will be amazed at how this will change your attitude toward the people on your list and make you more compassionate toward others in your life as well.