One of Those Questions

Uh-oh...it's one of those questions again.  You know, the tough ones God puts in our path that we don't always like our answers to.  He did it again on Sunday. 

We are in the book of Ephesians as part of a sermon series my Pastor is preaching.  We've been delving into our Christian walk and this week was centered around marriage and unity.  My Pastor asked the dreaded "hard question" that was more than a little bit uncomfortable to answer, the type that makes one squirm in the pew a some.  "Am I the answer to Jesus' prayer for peace?"  Now there's a question to make one examine their lives and perhaps feel a disquieting conviction in the soul. 

Needless to say I did not like my answer.  I am not always the instrument of peace I should be.  Not in the home, nor the workplace or just in general.  In John 17:21 Jesus prayed "that they may be one, just as You and I are one..."  Jesus was praying for the fellowship of future believers to be united and in Him, showing that harmony and cooperation to the world, so that the world would believe Jesus was who He said He was. 

Matthew 5:9  God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.  Sometimes we have to work for peace with others.  It doesn't come naturally to put our own desires and needs aside in order to keep the peace and seek the best for others.  Ephesians 4:2  Always be humble and gentle.  Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love.  Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.  Humility doesn't come easy.  Overlooking the shortcomings of others takes effort.  But imagine how peaceful and serene life would be if we let the little stuff go.  One of the things I struggle with in dealing with others is speed.  I have a tendency to rush through tasks at 100 mph.  Others take more time, go slowly...I am not always as patient as I could be, but I have learned to keep it to myself better.  LOL  I have to rein my impatience in at the supermarket when those around me walking very slowly and I need to just get done and get out of there! 

Ephesians 4:29  Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.  Ephesians 5:1-2  Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children.  Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.  He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.  Words and deeds. 

Make every effort to be at peace with others without compromising your walk with the Lord.  This is a tall order.  It means letting go of our way of doing things, sometimes letting go of what's important to us, giving of ourselves and our time...it's certainly not always easy...but through Christ we can do all things! 

Lord, make us peacemakers.  Forgive me for being argumentative, selfish, self centered and reluctant to cede my desires and ways of doing things.  I am not always right.  Help me to be the person You want me to be, the peacemaker who reflects Your glory and Your character.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen

Are you the answer to Jesus' prayer for harmony?