Are You Striving for Peace or Conflict?

The world is in chaos and there is conflict everywhere we look. If you watch the news, you see wars and rumors of wars. You see people attacking each other over what could be considered trivial matters. There are biases due to race and gender and so many other things that lead to conflict. What are we to do about all that? It feels unsurmountable; or at least a significant challenge. 

I took a first step. Today was my first time back in the classroom with middle school ministry and we talked about how we as God’s children are called by Him to bring Shalom or peace or wholeness to the world around us (Heb 12:14). Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He brought peace or shalom or wholeness to our relationship with God when He died on the cross, was buried and rose again. He restored the relationship. He is our peace and has given us the Holy Spirit (John 20:11-22) who continually leads and guides us in how we should live. 

As I taught my students this morning, it’s up to us to use the gifts God has given us to share Him with the world. He is the answer to all the issues I referenced earlier. My students talked about how the world needs Jesus and peace and love. My comment to this was if the world has Jesus, the world has peace and love. He is both of those things. I challenged them to think about the ways we can bring wholeness to situations – how can we bring people together? I challenge you to do the same. 

Is there a relationship that needs mending? Is there someone who lashes out who is in need of a kind word? Is there chaos that needs organization? Is their conflict that needs your intervening touch? If so, work to bring peace or wholeness to the situation (2 Cor 13:11).  Be an agent of peace.