Lots of news these days about making deals to achieve peace.
Most of those “deals” are about achieving some sort of power balance in exchange for ceasing violence. While we’re always in favor of less hostility, that’s not true peace.
Peace, for followers of Jesus, can never involve enemies facing off. Jesus said,
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Peacemakers. Actively reaching out to those who might be difficult to love, creating relationship, serving them, perceiving them as brothers and sisters to be protected rather than enemies to be defeated.
Jesus knew it would be difficult. In the very next verse, he said,
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
He expected it to be hard. He told us to expect persecution for doing what’s right. He told us that’s how we build the kingdom.
I think a great deal about the Project Rescue missionaries who spend each day in the horrible environment of a red-light district surrounded by the squalor of brothels. They reach out with medical care, food, childcare, Bible study, vocational training, or just a quiet place in the midst of the chaos – offered with no strings attached to everyone, traffickers included.
It’s the long, slow process of building relationships and creating trust, convincing everyone they are there long-term with no agenda other than to love those they encounter.
I can’t imagine how difficult it must be, the level of faith required for these women (and they are ALL women) to do this work, day after day after day. To encounter dangerous criminals who victimize little children and love them as brothers and sisters, trusting Jesus for outcomes they may never see.
They’re peacemakers, shining examples for me – and maybe you.