Moving Toward Each Other in the Middle of a Divisive WorldSample

How To Be a Peacemaker

When I was a kid, while many of my friends would dress up to be a princess or a wizard, I always wanted to be a pirate.

Judge me all you want, but it was fun to talk like a pirate, make my sister “walk the plank” (a long piece of tape on the carpet), and search for buried treasure.

In pirate culture, a “parley” is a formal discussion or conference between opposing sides, often to reach an agreement or truce. It can also be used as a verb to mean "to talk" since the word comes from the French word parler, which means "to speak". Some of us would like to call a parley when it comes to navigating divided conversations with those at work, church, and even at home.

When we find ourselves in discussions over important issues, and we know that things can get uncomfortable and divisive, what should our posture be?

In John 17:18-24, Jesus made it clear for each of His followers in His prayer for each of us:

“I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in Me through their message. May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us, so the world may believe You sent Me. I have given them the glory You have given Me. May they be one as We are one. I am in them and You are in Me. May they be made completely one, so the world may know You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me.

Father, I desire those You have given Me to be with Me where I am. Then they will see My glory, which You have given Me because You loved Me before the world’s foundation.”

ACTION STEP

When we find ourselves in a disagreement with others, even when tempers run high, can we also be the place where peace prevails?

One interpersonal “hack” I have when facing a potentially heated conversation with another and attempting to strike a balance between connection and correction is this: Take it SLOW

State in your own words (restate the other’s “side” in your own respectful verbiage).

List similarities (articulate common ground between both sides of the discord).

Observe positives and show gratitude (thank the other for taking the time to share).

Work to learn and be light (keep Jesus’ prayer in mind that we would be united despite our differences).