Peace Through Loving People First

Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! – (Romans 12:16, NLT)

Live together in peace with each other. Don’t be proud, but be willing to be friends with people who are not important to others. Don’t think of yourself as smarter than everyone else. – (Romans 12:16, ERV)

Work happily together. Don’t try to act big. Don’t try to get into the good graces of important people, but enjoy the company of ordinary folks. And don’t think you know it all! – (Romans 12:16, TLB)

 

We are called to be at peace with one another. One glimpse at the news, and the work that needs to be done becomes overwhelmingly apparent. What if each one of us began exactly where we are planted? In our neighborhood, our school, our workplace, our city? If each one of us treated everyone with value and respect, and recognized that all people have something to contribute, the political, economic, ethnic, religious, and whatever else separates one from another, could be celebrated and appreciated, rather than utilized to divide. Each one of us is infinitely valued and loved by God. If we are called to love as God loves, then why would we not do the same? May we seek the Lord for His heart for each other so that we may be at peace with one another, willing to be kind to all who cross our path, seeing each as one with infinite worth.

 

May we choose to live, 

Harmoniously;

Value each other,

With equality.

Each person offers,

What they have to bring;

From which we can learn,

And grow in new things.

Let us strive for peace,

Through kindness and love;

Give good to others,

Let grace be enough.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to be people of peace with one another. Thank You that peace does not mean that we have to agree on everything or view the world through the same lens, but rather it is a mutual respect for one another that loves, regardless of opinions and perspectives. Thank You for the areas in our life where we have seen and experienced such peace. Forgive us for the places where we have done anything to prevent peace from being present. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would choose to love and listen above all else. Show us how to love those around us, especially those who see the world far differently than we do. May Your peace be present, even in the most unlikely of places. Help hurting hearts come into a lasting relationship with You, the Prince of Peace. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to show us how to best love and bring peace into the places where we find ourselves each day. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. – Ephesians 4:2

Seek to Help and Bless

The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped. – (Proverbs 11:25, MSG)

 

This is an incredible promise, yet should not be our motivation to bless and help others. It is amazing to watch and see how blessings seem to follow those who routinely bless others, and likewise, those who readily jump in and offer help, have help available when they are in need. However, that is not always the case. Sometimes, the blessings are delayed, and the help is not tangible in the way one might hope. The challenge is to trust in the One whose promises are true, and to know that what He says, He will do.

We live in a broken and hurting world where one wound often leads to many more, rather than running to our Redeemer for restoration. In light of the tragic events over the past several days, we have a unique opportunity to bless and help, now, more than ever. People need hope. As the news continues to show us violent scenes unfolding, and divides among people growing, we are being granted the gift of bridging the gap. How can we make a difference in our own community? Our own neighborhood or workplace? Or perhaps, even within our own family? May we seek the Lord with our whole heart, so we may go forth in love to bless and help those around us with hope and light and life.

 

Lord, please show us how,

To bless those in need;

Those desperate for hope,

By Your help, please lead.

Teach me to offer,

What You call to give;

So many might know,

By faith, we shall live.

Thank You, Lord Jesus,

That as we obey;

Your hope and Your grace,

Come in us to stay.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You bless us and help us because You love so well. Thank You that You equip us to bless and help those around us. Thank You that You see and know the needs in us and around us long before we do, and You are loving us all the while. Forgive us for not reaching out to those around us, when You have given us hands to serve, ears to listen, a heart to understand, and a voice to share kindness and love with all whom we encounter. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would do exactly that. Show us how to listen to understand, reach out to help and to bless, and to speak truth in love to all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek to bless and help others just as You so lovingly have done for us. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

When times are good, be happy. – Ecclesiastes 7:14