Blessed are the peacemakers,
Matthew 5:9 NIV
for they will be called children of God.
I live in a country that is deeply divided on many issues: sexuality, gun control, immigration, religion, welfare, politics, black lives matter, tax reform, respecting the flag, occupying wall street, animal rights, and on and on. Everywhere we turn, there is something else that divides us. How do we respond to all of these issues? Some of us ignore them as much as possible. Others will passionately argue and fight for their position. But how many peacemakers do we see, those who seek reconciliation between the two, or more, sides; who advocate peaceful and constructive dialog rather than fanning the flames; who reach out to both sides rather than slamming doors shut?
Clearly, society needs to protect itself from those who would cause real harm to the innocent. I would not, for instance, advocate that we should live peacefully with child molesters. But most of those things that divide us can and should be peacefully resolved. Rather than just taking sides and helping to further divide the nation, consider reaching out to those on the other side and building bridges. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
