James 3:18 = "Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness."
I had the opportunity this last week to speak with someone who had hurt me and my son. When the incident occurred a couple weeks ago what I wanted to say to her was hurtful words in retaliation. I wanted to slap her for how she'd damaged my son's confidence and how she had negatively spoken about him to his face. The only thing I could see fixing the situation was for her to no longer be his teacher or for our family to no longer be in that setting.
God reminded me of this verse, however. Not just once or twice, but just about every day - from different people. "Sow peace, Jen." "Strive for unity, dear friend." Those words were NOT what I wanted to hear. I wanted justice!
But is justice what I'm called to? NO! I'm called to be a peacemaker, not a justice-doer. I'm called to believe the best about this person, to show my kids what resolving a conflict in a Godly way looks like, to promote PEACE.
And look at what we reap when we sow peace - Righteousness! Isn't that what we all want? To be righteous, perfect, without sin. As I sow peace in this relationship God's changing me so that I will be more like Him, holy. Instead of seeking justice I can seek God's glory by being peaceful.
I had the opportunity this last week to speak with someone who had hurt me and my son. When the incident occurred a couple weeks ago what I wanted to say to her was hurtful words in retaliation. I wanted to slap her for how she'd damaged my son's confidence and how she had negatively spoken about him to his face. The only thing I could see fixing the situation was for her to no longer be his teacher or for our family to no longer be in that setting.
God reminded me of this verse, however. Not just once or twice, but just about every day - from different people. "Sow peace, Jen." "Strive for unity, dear friend." Those words were NOT what I wanted to hear. I wanted justice!
But is justice what I'm called to? NO! I'm called to be a peacemaker, not a justice-doer. I'm called to believe the best about this person, to show my kids what resolving a conflict in a Godly way looks like, to promote PEACE.
And look at what we reap when we sow peace - Righteousness! Isn't that what we all want? To be righteous, perfect, without sin. As I sow peace in this relationship God's changing me so that I will be more like Him, holy. Instead of seeking justice I can seek God's glory by being peaceful.