Making Peace

When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Proverbs 16:7 ESV

It's been a rough season.  Who am I kidding - it's always a rough season!  Every season of life seems to bring its own challenges, and I have yet to go through a season of smooth sailing.  I'm not saying it's not possible, but I have never experienced it.

And that's not unexpected.  Jesus plainly told us, "In this world you WILL have trouble..." (John 16:33emphasis mine).  He didn't say that trouble was simply "possible".  He didn't say, "you MAY have trouble."  Jesus presented difficulties in life as a sure thing.  So really, I shouldn't be surprised when life is hard.

"But I just wish things were different!"  I've heard that a million times, and said it just as often.  And maybe, that is where we can find some hope today.

I have heard (and said) that what’s wrong with the world is people.  As a die-hard introvert, I find that my greatest frustrations come from interactions with people.  Life would be so much simpler if it just wasn’t so “people-y”!

But people are everywhere!  And interacting with people is unavoidable.  That is not something that the introvert in me likes to acknowledge, but it is truth.

When I get frustrated with people, it is my nature to conclude that they have a problem.  I clearly see what is going on, and the fact that others don’t see it must be a clear indication that something is wrong with them.  They must be blind or misguided or ill-intentioned or just ignorant.

And it’s possible that that’s what’s true.  Sometimes people don’t act very nicely.  Sometimes people are mean.  Often, people are thoughtless, careless, and insensitive.  And sometimes people are just plain wrong!

But that doesn’t mean that we can’t get along.

When there is a rift in a relationship, I tend to blame the other person.  After all, I know that I am right!  I may be wrong, or, in fact, I may be “right,” but if there’s a problem between us, I’m not right.  My facts may be accurate, but if we aren’t getting along, I’m definitely not right.  The Scriptures are painfully clear on this point.

If you and I aren’t getting along, I am to blame.  I am the guilty party.  You may or may not be wrong. But I am not right with God.  No matter how much time I have spent in the Word, how much time I have spent talking to God in prayer, how many church services or small group studies I’ve attended, I am not spiritually right.  If there is a problem in our relationship, it is MY responsibility.
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The scripture says that, “When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”  The corollary to this would seem to be that if a person’s enemies are not at peace with him, then his (her, my) ways are not pleasing the Lord. OUCH!

It is human nature to blame the other person for whatever problems exist in our relationships.   It certainly is my nature.  But the scripture today tells me that if there’s a problem between us, it is  a spiritual problem, and it is mine.

You may also have a spiritual problem.  That does not release me from my responsibility.

So clearly I have some work to do.  While I’m not aware of any enemies in my life, I am very much aware that I am not necessarily at peace with everyone around me.  And it’s not just because “people.”  It’s because “ME.”

Are your ways pleasing the Lord today?  If you’re not sure, just look at your relationships.  If peace is lacking, you have your answer.  And your challenge.

I know I have mine.  And though it’s a painful realization, it’s...

...just a thought...