Right now I can’t help but be hurt by all of the hate and division in this country. It hurts to see the hatred for one another… over race, policies, political party and many other things.
It didn’t resonate with me just how big of deal the capital insurrection was until a couple days after. Did you know the last time the people of the U.S stormed the capital like that was in the 1800’s? That’s so long ago! I was amazed at that fact. America has never been a country as divided as we’re right now and it’s evident.
The truth is, life was never meant to be this way. I’m praying that in the coming weeks and months the peace of God will stir up in the hearts of everyone. There’s two things we can do ourselves right now to help bring make it happen and I challenge you to take these steps.
2 ways to bring peace to the world
1.Humility
“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
I believe a lot of reasons for the division is there is a lack of humility. It seems humility has been replaced with pride. It’s difficult right now for people to peacefully disagree with one another, instead they’d rather argue, fight and scream until they’re right. Humility takes a posture that is of servanthood. Ask yourself, have I been humble? Am I quick to anger? Do I gossip? Could the people around me say that I’ve been humble? I encourage you to pray this:
“Heavenly Father, I recognize my pridefulness today. I am sorry that I’ve thought of my opinions and thoughts above others. I lay down my pride at your feet and I ask for humility to reign in my heart. Make me humble Jesus. Show me how to love people like you love them. Heal my heart and make it clean, open up my eyes to things I cannot see. Break my heart for what breaks yours. In your name, amen.”
2. Be a peacemaker
Within our hearts there is a desire for real authentic peace because in Jesus we are called to peace.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15)
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9)
Apart from Jesus there’s no real peace. Only in Jesus can we have lasting peace and joy. Do you have peace today? Do you feel at peace in your heart? We are to be the peacemakers of the world, so I think it’s worth asking ourselves today, am I sowing peace in the world right now? Could the people I interact with daily honestly say that I am sowing peace? I encourage you to pray this prayer:
“Heavenly Father, I acknowledge my lack of peace right now and I lay down any anger toward anyone I have. May peace spring up in my heart and overflow to those around me. Jesus give me your peace today and help me share it. Amen.
Bryant Westbrook 