Gentle Peacemaker
The world we live in describes gentleness or a gentle nature with someone who gets walked all over. Our world teaches that we have to buck up and get tough skin and not expose out gentle side. If we do, we may get used and abused by people.
Over time and experience living in the fallen world, a callous build around our hearts and we can become cynical, questioning every motive and become harsh.
I believe that the Bible teaches us to live by a different narrative. I believe the Bible teaches us to be gentle when it’s easier to be harsh. It’s easier to be harsh because we can get caught in confusion believing that being harsh, curt, rude or distant with others means that we have a shield of protection around us.
This shield is a false protection. This shield created voids in our relationships. It creates tension more than unity. It creates dissension, accusation and suspicion more than peace.
Being harsh, or thick skinned or callous doesn’t protect the way we think. It is a handy tool the enemy likes to employ that keeps us from being and growing in relationship with others. Satan loves to keep us alone, isolated – not in community. We are more vulnerable that way.
As I study about gentleness I realize that gentleness ushers in relationships, unity and peace.
Philippians 4:5-7 says, “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
In all the times I have read this passage I haven’t paused to focus on the word “gentleness”. If my gentleness, if your gentleness is evident to all, it means that gentleness exudes out of us. No matter if someone is meeting us for the first time or has known us for years they mark our character by gentleness.
What I loved some much about this scripture studying this time is that it shows that gentleness and God’s peace are connected. “God’s peace guards our hearts and minds” (vs 7). It’s God’s peace – the feeling and sense of completeness in Him- that keeps us from getting “our feathers ruffled,” as my Granny would say. It keeps us more able to engage in unity with others, harmony and gentleness.
Matthew 5:9 says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (NIV)
Matthew 5 is where Jesus gives us the Beatitudes, a list of blessings that come as a result of walking with.
The Message version of Matthew 5:9 says, “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.”
We are blessed by being demonstrators of cooperation, or working together instead of fighting against one another. Instead of warring against one another, we war against the evil one who is at work trying to destroy our peace.
Why is it, do you think that the blessing of being a peacemaker is to be called “children of God”?
My perspective is that we are image bearers of God. And as image bearers we are to promote peace. It’s when we give up the competition, our agenda, our striving and settle into the people God has made us to be that we find peace and the ability to be gentle with others.
When we stop trying to prove our worth and value. When we stop trying to perform for love and acceptance because we know who we are and who we belong to. We belong to God. The Most High King. God Almighty is our daddy.
“Peace like a river” will wash over us when the persistent neediness for approval ends. Our eyes are opened to God’s gentleness toward us. When our eyes are opened to His gentleness we become humbled. How can this mighty God and King be gentle, loving
Psalm 37:11 says, “But the meek will inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.” (CJB)
The meek are those who are strong but choose gentleness, not power. The gentle will “delight themselves in abundant peace.” What a beautiful promise this is from the word of God. We as God’s children can have abundant peace, even amid the rough patches, daily struggles, depressions, inflation, wars and so on.
The meek and gentle recognize that power is fleeting, it will not last. And the meek instead choose to invest in relationships which require gentleness. Gentleness ushers in peace. It’s not what the world teaches. The world teaches the more we control the more peace we will have.
The world’s ways fall short every time. The world’s ways leave us craving and longing for more. And all the while Jesus has abundant peace because He is gentle. Our awareness of His gentleness causes our hearts to be transformed into His likeness. Do you find comfort and joy in this?
I certainly do! I believe God has more in store for us, step by step as we become more yielded and more surrendered to His ways. Before we part ways, and you go back to your “regularly scheduled programming” of work, family, friends and the to-do list, receive this prayer over you.
Abba Father,
I come before you Lord with a heart of gratitude. Thank you Lord that you are abounding in steadfast love. I thank you that your love is not based on human parameters. I thank you that you are gentle with us, your children.
Father, today I pray a blessing over my brothers and sisters in the faith who are reading this article. I pray that each one’s heart will be drawn closer to you today. I pray each one’s life will be changed by the realization of the magnitude and depth of your love and gentleness.
God I pray as we experience your gentleness toward us that we would in turn be gentle toward others. I pray that others would come to know you because they feel your gentleness through us. And may peace – your abundant peace – be the blessing that flows from hearts of peace as we stand firm on the promise of your word. Pour out your blessings, Lord. Pour out your blessings of peace upon us all. In the strong name of Jesus Christ. Amen and amen!
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