City Life Starter

Written by Nate Warren

The Word

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 

Matthew 5:9

8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

1 Peter 3:9-12

Reflection

Those who pursue peace are willing to forfeit their own entitlement for their rights, their vengeance. Instead of declaring war in response to evil, they lament. They cry out to the just and loving Father-God who hears them and proves His dedication to justice and love by the blood of Jesus. While they prophetically call out fallen and evil systems, they go out of their way to present self-sacrificial love toward the persons caught up in them. They, “so far as it depends [on them], live at peace with everyone.” (Rom 12:18) They live in peace, not because this world or their existence in it has peace, but because their peace transcends this world.

Application

After two straight weeks of heart-wrenching bloodshed (and many more before), I have found it very easy to slip into a form of despair, condemnation, and desire for a measure of justice, if not vengeance. A few times I typed condemning words into social media textboxes, only to stop short of pressing send. I have even been short with my own loved ones because of my exposed insecurity in their vulnerability.

This reaction, or much worse, may be understandable in a fallen world, even promoted, but it is not the way of peace. As ambassadors of God, we are called to make his appeal to the world on His behalf. Jesus is the One who has conquered death and hell. He stands at the right hand of God the Father with all authority over the cosmos hanging on His Word. Our champion is undefeated! We have the hope of the world within us, and it is good news!

I would wish my reaction this week to be quite different. I wish I had prayed more diligently for the individuals and families directly impacted, for my black brothers and sisters, for teachers and school workers, for police and school resource officers, for policy makers. I wish I had brought my lament before the Lord, who surely grieves this violence to a level beyond what I can imagine.  I wish I had been more present, more patient, with the loved ones that were with me. I wish I had trusted Him more, and to listen to His voice showing me practical ways to sew peace within my sphere of influence.

I will try do that today, and with His grace, tomorrow also.

Prayer