Word of the Week: Peacemaker

The final hymn at the Kalispell church, where I preached yesterday, was a new one to me– “Instruments Of Your Peace” written by Nashville artists Kirk and Deby Dearman.

It opens and closes with this refrain

Lord make us instruments of Your peace
Where there is hatred let Your love increase
Lord make us instruments of Your peace
Walls of pride and prejudice shall cease

The two verses go like this.

Where there is hatred we will sow His love
Where there is injury we will never judge
Where there is striving we will speak His peace
To the people crying for release
We will be His instruments of peace

Where there is blindness we will pray for sight
Where there is darkness we will shine His light
Where there is sadness we will bear their grief
To the millions crying for release
We will be His instruments of peace

We’re living in a world of turmoil. Satan is sowing seeds of discord. Disagreement. And division. People are feeling discouraged. Dispirited. And depressed.

We see images on our local and national news of violence. Anger and animosity are tearing apart communities. Rupturing relationships. Pitting one race against another. And inflaming the already raw emotions of people who either feel disenfranchised, ignored, or unappreciated.

Unfortunately, it seems many of our leaders are either unable or unwilling to bring together opposing factions and forces. Sadly, some of the acrimony has even affected those who call themselves Christians.

In a world of disharmony, it is up to those who wear the name of Christ, to “pursue the things that make for peace” (Rom. 14:19). Peace is a personal responsibility. It the fruit of the spirit I must work to develop (Gal. 5:22). And “the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those that make peace’’ (3:18). Peace begins within. And issues itself in attitudes and actions that produce harmony.

What if we all really imbibed and embodied the spirit of Dearman’s hymn “Lord make me an instrument of peace”?

When words of hate are spewed out like venom, what if I responded with love?

What if we illumined the light of truth, goodness, and godliness to shine brightly in the darkness of sin?

What if we cleansed our hearts of prejudice, partiality, and bigotry?

What if, when we were injured, we didn’t lash out in anger, unfairly judge motives, and refused to return evil for evil?

What if we prayed, before we hastily and angrily posted a retort on facebook, “Lord, make me an instrument of peace”?

When others are shortsighted and lack vision, What if, I prayed, Lord, “open my eyes, that I may see glorious things out of your law?

What if we ministered with care, compassion, and concern to those who are hurting?

What if we respected those in positions of authority, even if we disagreed with them?

What if we accorded honor to whom honor is due?

What if we really applied the “golden rule” and treated others like we want them to treat us?

What if we all followed Paul inspired counsel, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men”? (Rom. 12:18)

What if we became instruments of peace?

“Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9)

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman