Hi folks, I hope you are doing ok? This week we are travelling around again, and are meeting at 7.30 at The Brewery, at the top of South Parade in Whitley Bay. I hope you can join us.
This week we continue our walk through the Beatitudes and are thinking about a theme that dominates life across the world right now: blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. As we continue to watch scenes unfold in Ukraine we ponder on political realities, not only on our own shores but in the United States. Not to mention the situations in Afghanistan and Iran, the tensions in and around North Korea and numerous difficult situation across Africa, particularly in Democratic Republic of Congo and its’ tense relationship with Rwanda.
And of course that doesn’t even touch the surface of the amount of broken relationships between family members and friends. It also doesn’t take into account the continued struggle for racial equality and issues around the equality of the sexes, never mind the church and its various struggles.
In other words when we talk about peace making, we have lots of work to do! Now of course most of these things we won’t be directly involved with or begin to be able to resolve… but their may be things that are going on with you that you can influence, that you can change.
In preparation for this I listened to David’s flipped preaching pre-amble he did a couple of years ago. He reminded me of another phrase we use in society – Peace Keeping. If you are a parent you will know what that means! You may also remember the UN Peace Keeping forces that have been deployed in various parts of the world. The idea of peace keeping is not to sort the issues out, but rather to stand in the gap and keep the peace between two situations.
We also have a phrase that the Romans used – Pax Romana, which means Roman Peace, this was the time when Rome was at its height of imperialism… so in reality this meant it was Rome’s way or no way! Some peace eh?
But peace making is different… this is about actively trying to resolve issues that you are aware of to bring things together, this is about trying not to take sides, this asks us to listen and to try and understand where people are coming from, it means loving and dare i say even forgiving!
If we add into this mix another saying that Jesus says further down from the Beatitudes is ‘Love your enemies’ Matt 5:43-48:
43“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Then it becomes extremely challenging.
Some questions:
- If you were to form a Peace Committee, who from the past or present would you choose to be on it?
- Where do you keep the peace?
- What does peace making mean to you?
- Where are your Peace makers?
- Who does it mean to have enemies?
- How/where can BFX become more involved in Peace making?
Peace, Rob
Photo by Sunguk Kim on Unsplash
Rob Wylie is the founder of BeachcomberFX and guides its leadership team. He has worked in the North East for over 20 years and has vast experience from various roles he has held. He has a passion for Fresh Expressions of Church and Pioneer Ministry as well as beer, beaches and Miniature Schnauzers.