Peacemakers!

After a long drive, we waited patiently in line for an hour to get into the store! The line was long and everyone there was eagerly waiting to get inside! I love how God teaches me something new in situations like these to help me through waiting patiently! Everyone had the same goal, running the same race in need of something inside! The only difference is everyone had something different to get in the store! As believers we are running the race for the same prize, eternity with Jesus, “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” (1 John 5:11). 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”

I’m everyday life we all have schedules and time restraints. Everyone has the same amount of time with different things to get done. However, when everyone is desperate and in need of the same thing with little resources and time, conflict happens! As Christians who follow Jesus, we still have conflicts and struggles! It’s how we handle the pressure of conflict that reflects who God is! We need to go into strict training by staying in the word (bible) and be connected to other believers! We need to practice everything we learn from Jesus but not just be hears of God’s word but doers! We are to be the salt and the light everywhere in every situation we face! I sing to my kids, stop, breathe, pray! Quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry (James 1:9) stop breathe pray! Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

When conflict happens do I listen or speak first?

Is my schedule more important than someone else?

How much better would it be if we could stop and listen?

Instead of fighting to get ahead, We could simply let them go ahead! Let practice doing what 1 Peter 5 says, to be humble under God’s mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time. We will choose to Cast all our anxiety on him because he cares for us. We would Be alert and of sober minded (1 Peter 5:6-8)! When we follow Jesus’ example, we will see people the way Jesus does, and love others the way He does! We can be peacemakers that God called us to be! Hebrews 12:4, Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. All of us are in need of Jesus to light up the way to go! Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

There are tough situations that can be frustrating especially when you drive a long way from home and you’re out of something you need! We need to remember everyone needs something just like you! Not only do we need to love our neighbors as ourselves, but we need to put on the full armor of God so that we can take our stand against the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:10-18)! Sometimes we need to choose to let go of what we think we need and choose peace! We need to make peace with everyone because when we do, it’s like giving them a hug from God! Hebrews 12:14, “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. “We chose to leave the line to be peaceful! It wasn’t easy but God will help us choose! If we did it alone by forcing our way, we could have stumbled! It is better to wait on God’s perfect timing and not our own! We need to be ready for what is unseen because the enemy is prowling around looking for someone to devour! 1 Peter 5:8, We need to be clear in our mind because sneak attacks do happen when you’re not paying attention, and when you let your guard down! In the race to get what we think we need at the store, we can loose sight on what’s important! We need to be ready for battle! The battle we face daily isn’t against flesh and blood! It’s not a battle with the people standing in line eagerly waiting to get in! Matthew 5:9,”Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Let’s chose to be peacemakers and love other people the way God loves us! Mathew 22:37-40, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”