My oldest son is working through a bible study called
"Story: God's Story, My Story". A wonderful publication by Mariner's Church as
book two of their Rooted Group Study. Rooted is a 10 week discipleship program.
Hope you can check it out at a church near you,
or browse information online at experiencerooted.com.
Let's get discipled and make disciples.
"Rooted", book 1, begins with a study in 7 rhythms essential to a healthy
relationship with Jesus. "Story", book 2, walks you through devotions on
knowing yourself, surrendering to God, fighting spiritual battles,
staying fully alive in your healing, and becoming fearless.
Here is a small excerpt from one day's reading in Story
called: Blessed are the Peacemakers.
This was our language: half-truths, obvious lies,
accusations neither one of us would make.
It was a system every bit as complicated as Morse code
or the dancing of bees. Don't ask, don't tell, stay civil.
---Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Every Other Day
Matthew 5:9 says, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."
Many people interpret this to mean that we must keep the peace at all costs.
Ignore or suppress difficult issues and hopefully they will just go away.
Whether we keep quiet for fear of the reaction, or give the cold shoulder,
or we brood, we are creating a false sense of peace.
True peace will never come when we pretend that what is wrong is right.
Jesus was not a peacekeeper. He was a peacemaker. He was not
about appeasing people. It is hard to learn how to seek peace in a healthy way.
We must acknowledge that our fake peace is ultimately bringing more brokeness.
Then Jesus can give us tools, with love, to address problems with grace.
***I have never been able to accept that peacemaking requires confrontation.
This excerpt was eye opening to an area I need to grow in.
Feel free to comment how you are growing as a peacemaker.
Let's encourage one another and build each other up.
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