Love God Greatly: BeatitudesНамуна

We will not be peacemakers if we are passive. Some of us are so afraid of conflict and disagreement that we just want to maintain the status quo and avoid disrupting anything. We're afraid that if we confront problems in our relationships, injustice in the world, or even conviction in our own hearts, that we'll break the fragile peace. This psalm reminds us that choosing to turn away from evil and pursue peace is active work, not passive avoidance. 

We are constantly confronted with opportunities to either ignore evil or actively turn away from it and seek peace. When we see someone being mistreated or wronged, we have the chance to turn away from evil and do good. When we see Christians attacking each other, we have the opportunity to pursue peace. When we sense conviction in our own hearts, we have the chance to reconcile with the God of peace.

Lord, thank You for enabling me to do good and seek peace. Give me the strength and conviction to pursue real peace in the places where I'd rather avoid conflict.