Resolved to be a Peacemaker
According to John Maxwell people in a group or organization, can be placed into two groups, thermometers and thermostats but thermostats are really the ones who make a difference. His reasoning was that thermometers merely gauges the temperature in the room and reflects that reading, while thermostats monitors and keeps the temperature in a room to the desired level. According to Maxwell, a thermostat approach to leadership is more conducive to growth. I like this comparison that Maxwell gives and I do not believe that it is merely applicable to an organization or leadership team, but to all relationships. If we are to improve, maintain or develop significant relationships we must become change agents in our environment. Instead of running away and avoiding unpleasant emotional temperatures, we can make it our responsibility to inspire growth in the people around us. We can resolve to be the change. How do we do this? Well one major way I would like to explore in this post, is the way of a peacemaker.
To be a peacemaker is a high calling, not only is it difficult but it’s often unnatural. Jesus taught that those who live as peacemakers are blessed, because they will be called children of God (Matt 5:9). The word of God also admonishes us to live peaceably with all men, as far as it depends on us (Rom 12:18). These may sound good, but they are far from easy, far from simple, not when we are faced with it ourselves. See it’s natural to be defensive or go on the offensive when threatened. It’s actually an automatic response embedded in the brain chemistry of every fully functional human being. But here is Jesus asking us to do what is unnatural to us. To not let our environment dictate our responses but to be the force that changes it to what it is supposed to be.
Being a peacemaker is difficult because at different times and given different situations it may require us to lay down our rights, turn our cheeks, be treated unfairly, speak up, disagree, or stand alone. Note that this isn’t to be mistaken for letting others walk over you, or being mousy and unassertive. Most people think that this is what it means, the moment they hear keep the peace, they think “oh so you want me to roll over and play dead!” “just because I’m a believer doesn’t mean I don’t have rights!” But that isn’t what Jesus was asking us to do, he was asking us to set an appropriate atmosphere around us, that points to God. Peacemaking is associated with Godliness “For they shall be called sons of God”. We can then conclude that conflict and confusion should not be the atmosphere that surrounds the believer; the person who claims to be a child of God. You know those people who live for the drama in the workplace, those people who stir up discord and find pleasure in the ruins of broken relationships… they are not reflecting Godliness, don’t be like that. Instead be a person who delights in the well-being and growth of others. Be a person whose response to conflict or disagreement points others to God’s compassion and grace, not to your own ego.
It [peacemaking] is an enterprise in which the ego is put in suspension! You see, it is pride that delays reconciliation. It is no small step when we are willing to let our big, fat, fragile egos be put to one side in order for peace to come. – R.T Kendall
You cannot be a peacemaker if you are constantly assessing the environment for your own wellbeing. But you are a peacemaker if you assess and engage with the environment in a way that points others to God’s grace. In the midst of your ranting and raving, your witness of Christ drowns, your representation of him is tarnished. But if you are wise in your responses, if you are gentle and kind in honesty, humility and love, you will point others to the God who enables you to do it.
Too many times believers walk around with wet fingers to the air trying to find a reason to get angry or make a case. We do this among our own selves and we do it among those who do not know our God, whose only example of his goodness is seen in us. Being a witness for Christ and a representative of his kingdom, does not merely mean learning the perfect elevator gospel pitch, it also means carrying an attitude of peace, reflecting God’s mercy, wisdom and love in a way that inspires change in those we come into contact with.
I believe that if we approach all our relationships with a desire for creating an atmosphere that is conducive to the growth of each other that we can ultimately safeguard those relationships from deterioration or ego damage. This requires us to be sensitive to others, not just ourselves and to place them before us. Any well functioning person can appreciate someone who puts them before themselves and will more than likely reciprocate. But it doesn’t mean that this will always be so, your choice to take on this role may very well mean rejection, most of the times. But that’s okay, because you’re not doing it for you anyway. So resolve to be a peacemaker.
If this post blessed you in anyway, be sure to share, like and follow.
KellyP
Sources mentioned
‘The Sermon on the Mount’ by R.T. Kendall
‘Developing the leaders around you’ by John Maxwell
Kelly is the founder of Royalty Press United. Author of the Gemstone Royals fantasy series, Twist of Faith and Crossroads. Counseling psychologist, proud Grenadian and devoted follower of Christ.
