Peacemakers

One day the children in our church were invited to participate in a painting contest. My ten-year-old daughter and her friend decided to participate. At home I watched them engage in a lively discussion and asked what they were talking about. They were not agreeing on what to paint for the contest, so I sat with them and helped them come to an agreement. It was gratifying to act as a mediator.

In that moment I perceived God speaking to me, and I

remembered Romans 12:18, which urges us to love peace and to be peacemakers. In Philippians 4:1-3, we read of two believers in Philippi who had a disagreement. They played an active part in spreading the gospel. Paul asked a third party to intervene to prevent their division from growing any further.

At times I have also had disagreements with other Christians. Through the minor disagreement between my daughter and her friend, God showed me the importance of trying to resolve problems quickly. If there is someone I don’t get along with or if I witness conflict, I will strive to be a peacemaker.