During the month of May we continue to focus on "peace" and the many ways it can be expressed in our lives. I think when we hear the word "peace" we immediately begin to think about Peace Rallies and anti-war protest and pacifism. To be sure, these are all a part of promoting peace but I think this narrow view of peace leaves us thinking that it's only for a select few. In other words, we might think that peace is only for those that are into it and have an interest in world peace when, in reality, peace is everyone's calling - the calling of the church and the calling of those who are part of the church.
In Paul's letters to the Colossians we read: "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood shed on the cross." (Colossians 1:19-20, TNIV). God is in the business of reconciliation and it's a pretty comprehensive reconciliation (..things on earth or things in heaven.) The statement "all things" covers a wide area - from world issues right down to the neighborhoods in which we live and the churches in which we serve. God's ultimate mission is reconciliation and God's ultimate calling upon our lives is that we be reconciled to God, to one another, and to creation. It is this reconcilation that is the fruit of the peace God offers all of us.
Author Chris Rice writes: "...before reconciliation is about us, it is about God. It is God's mission in the world. The journey of reconciliation begins with seeing reconciliation is not the goal of human striving but is instead a gift God longs for us to accept. It is connected with and gives birth to other gifts within the reality of God's new creation....reconciliation both names the church as and requires the church to be the sign and agent of God's reconciliation."
In one of his letters, Paul refers to Christians as "ambassadors of reconciliation." Ambassadors act on behalf of the country they serve. They are agents representing that country. As Christians, disciples of Jesus, we are acting on behalf of God's kingdom - we are agents of reconciliation representing God's rule. In that way it could be said that we don't have a choice but to be reconcilers and peacemakers.
But, in reality, we do have a choice - and we make those choices everyday. Reconciliation is about forgiveness, kindness, mercy, love, and acceptance. We have daily opportunities in which we can engage in these practices. Peace isnt just for a select few. It's not just for those that are "into peace". Peace is about all of us. It's a calling for all of us. And, God's peace in this world depends upon all of us becoming God's agents of reconciliation.
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