“God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). This is number seven of Jesus’ beatitudes – of which I like to refer to as the attitudes that need to be. Now, seven is the biblical number for completion. Thus, in the very order of these beatitudes, Jesus could be suggesting that we, as His children, are only complete when we are about the business of making things happen. Now think about that.
As one of God’s disciples, we aren’t called to consume, but rather to contribute. And yet, for the most part, taking seems to be the norm when it comes to God’s people – the church. It seems most people pick a church based on what they get rather than what they give – and I remind you that our giving is best modeled in those valleys of misunderstanding and mishaps, not on the mountain tops of ease and prosperity.
Thus, we are to be identified by what we can make for others rather than what is made for us. Over and over, we read of God constantly challenging His people (us) to be about the business of making peace – making a difference. You see, a call to action, to do something, is what we are to be about, not just sitting, complaining, taking, and seeing what’s ‘in it for me.’ The Bible says, “Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14). In Jeremiah we read, “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile” (Jeremiah 29:7). Imagine the difference we can make, as God’s people, in our city if we would truly walk in the Spirit and get about the Father’s business.
My friends, allow me to be more candid. This is our calling. It’s a call to take responsibility and to make a difference. Thus, in conjunction with Jesus’ words, “to go…make disciples…” (Matthew 28:19), this is what it means to be a disciple of Christ – a Christian.
In a society characterized by noise, strife, turmoil, unrest, violence, and unease, the call to do something is more prevalent than ever before. “Ultimately, we have just one moral duty: to reclaim large areas of peace in ourselves, more and more peace, and to reflect it toward others. And the more peace there is in us, the more peace there will also be in our troubled world” (Etty Hillesum).
