**this is a disclaimer.... this post was actually written previously and then it got lost. I am going to attempt to recreate the magic, but it may not be as awesome as it was. So sorry.**
In my younger, more confrontational years, the concept of being a peacemaker was completely foreign to me. I liked to stir the pot and I enjoyed the discussions and events that often followed my attempts to mix things up. However, as I have mellowed a bit with age, I have started to see the merit of peace and a desire to coexist. Contention in the home, or anywhere else for that matter, makes me uncomfortable and I can understand why we are asked to be peacemakers.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ said:
"Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God." And that thought got me to having a few deep, existential thoughts about reciprocity. If we are peacemakers, we shall be known as children (followers) of God. Following this logic, since we know that we are children (followers) of God, we are expected to be peacemakers. Being a child of God is an awesome blessing and knowledge that I have never doubted; but knowing that, it is interesting to think that I have this new responsibility that accompanies my position.
Now, I like a good argument as much as anyone.... sometimes just for the sake of discussion and this may add to my apparent reluctance as a peacemaker. I would say that as I have grown and matured, I can definitely see the merits and benefits of peace, but sometimes I still struggle with the humility to plant my feet firmly toward peace.
It's a funny thing.... so many of the virtues and characteristics of Christ that I have discussed this month are so similar. Sometimes, I have thought it to be a bit difficult to try and elaborate on a specific trait and to come up with something unique to say. However, as I began to look at this topic and to think about what I wanted to say, I had two thoughts. The first is the one up above about God expecting His children to be peacemakers. The second thought I had was just as eye-opening for me:
Being a peacemaker is different than being a peacekeeper.
This hit me hard. To my mind, the value of peace and contentment in our lives is ever changing and evolving. You need to have one before you can have the other, but I was struck by the contrast between these two terms. To "make peace" is to actively seek it. To keep peace is to protect the efforts of others; in other words "don't screw it up." Both of these virtues are good and are necessary in our frail human relationships.... but one is definitely a higher and more complex calling.
Following this logic, I would say that at this point in my life I have evolved to the point of peacekeeping. Most often, I am not interested in trying to stir the pot and create contention; but I am not yet at a point where I routinely seek peace for the sake of peace and for the blessing of those in my life.
I want to take a minute and discuss the idea of actively choosing peace in our lives. Choosing to make peace, to put another's need and comfort above our own can be a hard thing. As followers of Christ, we are asked to love our fellow men and peace and goodwill are part of that. One of the things that I think delays the peacemaking process, at least for me, is the fact that it requires work. Oftentimes I think we feel like if something is to be peaceful, it should just naturally happen. It rarely happens like this. In my experience, seeking to make peace for and with those around me, requires that my life often becomes less peaceful. Being a peacemaker requires a degree of sacrifice on my part, and I think that is why we get hung up on seeking this path.
Being a peacemaker is an active process; it's deliberate. Being a peacekeeper is often a reactive process; we don't seek to create it, but we adopt a kind of "do no harm" attitude in dealing with those around us. As you know, I try very hard to be an active and conscious participant in life. I hate having my fate determined by the will of someone else. Oftentimes this stubbornness has gotten me into trouble, but regardless, I maintain that life is better when we are actively seeking the will of our Heavenly Father and trying to live in accordance with his wishes for us. Acting versus reacting.
Over the last year, I have become familiar with a short poem by William Ernest Henley. It is entitled Invictus and I discovered it when our family friend Colton Hadley died. This was his mantra.
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to
pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of
circumstance
I have not winced nor cried
aloud.
Under the bludgeoning of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and
tears
Looms but the Horror of the
shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me,
unafraid.
It matters not how strait the
gate,
How charged with punishments the
scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
There is so much good material in this, but the part I like best is the last stanza:
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
We are the masters of our fate and we are tasked with choosing our path back to our Heavenly Father. In my life, and in my experience, that requires love and charity toward those around me and it requires that I am continually active in seeking peace.... even when it may come at a cost to me.
Recreating this next section of the post is a lot like trying to get lightening to strike twice. I was really happy with the way my previous post had turned out, but I'm not sure I have the words and the mental acuity to write it again. So, here's the Reader's Digest version.
In our ward, we have a house owned by the Church. It has been inhabited over the years by several visiting authorities and their families. From time to time, we are blessed to be taught by these wonderful folks. There have been great doctrinal discussions, to be sure, but my favorite part about getting to know some of these families is that you watch them struggle with many of the same things that most of us struggle with. Learning to commit to callings and to be faithful in serving; trying not to be weary in well-doing. I love listening to stories about raising families and realizing that they know no more about the whole process than I do. It is refreshing.
So, with Christmas being a Sunday this year, we had a church service, but it was shortened to allow for the most important bits of our worship; renewing our covenants and being edified through music and words. Our current General Authority in residence, Elder Valeri Cordon and his wife Glenda spoke to us and gave such powerful talks. So powerful that I actually took notes; which is saying something because the three magic words of Christmas "some assembly required" had kept us up until nearly two in the morning. But that is another story for another day. I just quickly wanted to touch on a few thoughts that I had listening to their talks.
First, Sister Cordon talked about giving our best and I think this definitely applies to being a peacemaker. We often can learn to keep the peace, but taking that next step and actively seeking and working toward peace requires significant effort and sacrifice on our part. To this end, Sister Cordon reminded us that we ought to give the best of ourselves to the Lord, because He has given the best of Himself to us. I had never really thought about this concept in such simple terms before. We are called and reminded to "be a little better" all the time. We learn and we grow and we try to perfect ourselves; by our efforts and through the grace of God. The thoughtful reassurance that he requires and deserves our best efforts was a much needed realization for me. I know from time to time that I have a tendency to feel picked on and when I feel like that, I want to let everyone know; which let's be honest, isn't a very peaceful thing.
So, making peace often requires us to stretch and to grow. It requires sacrifice on our part. When I am presented with a situation where I feel the need to step in and serve others, many times my experience becomes the opposite of peaceful; it can be hectic. At these times, it is tempting (at least to me) for the purposes of self-preservation to retreat into my own life and leave everyone to their own devices. However, if I think about this, I know that I have been given God's best and therefore, he deserves mine in return He desires that I act; that I serve those around me and that I try to make peace; not just keep it. Admittedly, this is hard and my better nature does not always win. At some point in the future, I will be required to repent of some less than charitable feelings I have experienced of late.... and although they may be legitimate, they are, I realize, not helpful.
So here's the other tidbit that I got in church yesterday. This was in Elder Cordon's talk and had a lot to do with words. I am definitely what you would call a "word nerd." Why use three when you can use seven? And why stick to the boring same words when a thesaurus can be your very best friend? Anyway, Elder Cordon in talking about God and his active creation of the earth and our existence related the scripture found in John 1:1:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
This is the English version of the scripture. As he talked about this, he reminded us that much of the Spanish-speaking people of the Church have used the Reina Valera version of the bible as it has historically been seen to translate the original ideas and lessons of the scriptures more accurately. From time to time, the different translations offer insight in the words that are used. According to Elder Cordon, when we read this same scripture, it translates roughly as follows:
In the beginning was the VERB, and the VERB was with God, and the VERB was God.
Now, in language a verb is an action word; it requires us to act. So to me, this says that God's word is God's work. We need to be active in pursuing that which God would have us do. If we are His children (and we know we are) then we need to actively pursue the making of peace. It is not easy, and fortunately for all of us, we have a lifetime to learn these lessons and gain this ability. However, after the experience I have had thinking and reflecting on knowing and doing what God has asked me to, I know that I can no longer be content to react or to be acted upon. "I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul."
I'm in charge. I need to follow Christ's example and try to make peace with those around me. I need to learn to be more humble and more teachable. I need to try harder to turn the other cheek and to forgive seventy times seven. I need to look for opportunities to express my gratitude and help those around me in the ways I feel prompted to by the Spirit. I will seek after peace, not only for my benefit, but to benefit those around me and to offer the very best of myself to my Father in Heaven and my Savior Jesus Christ.
