Conflict never really stops, does it? With age, my tolerance for conflict has diminished. In the past, I was ready to argue my point strenuously when I thought it necessary. Today, not so much. My inner voice says so often, “Can’t we just get along?” Apparently, we (all human beings) cannot! After 35 years of marriage, Bev and I still occasionally have disagreements over the silliest stuff, though neither of us is willing to fight the way we did 20 years ago! Within the church that I serve there are always simmering issues to be dealt with, some important, some insignificant, but all loaded with the potential to explode into destructive words and actions if not properly resolved and/or managed.
Our American politics are so loaded with conflict, the major parties so polarized that the idea of building consensus is abandoned in favor of raw power plays. Our President, in his speech at the acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize last week, acknowledged his resignation to the concept of the necessity of ‘just’ war, saying that “the instruments of war do have a role to play in preserving the peace. And yet this truth must coexist with another - that no matter how justified, war promises human tragedy.”
Christmas renews our longing for peace and the promise that there will come a day when wars will cease, when hate-filled words will no longer fill the air, when cooperation will emerge from the perfect justice of a righteous King. Isaiah said that One will come who will be called the “Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace.” (9.6)
Conflict among us, be it personal or international, is commonly resolved with power; the one with the most money, soldiers, or leverage, applies pressure and forces compliance to his will. Resolved is not the best word to use. Suppressed would be better. When the vanquished have had time to heal their wounds and gather new allies, conflict resurfaces.
Christ Jesus calls us to peace and to actively work for peace. Are we naïve to hope for it, pray for it, long for it? No! Jesus taught us to pray, "your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10, NIV) His kingdom is one of peace announced by angels who said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14, NIV) Jesus’ mission was one of peace; first reconciling us to God through the offering of Himself, and then calling us to be reconciled to one another through death to Self!
What we fail to understand is that peace is costly. It is purchased with sacrifice, not in battle, but in surrender of Self! That is not the peace message most want to hear. They want a peace with preferential treatment. We all want a peace; be it at home, at work, or for our nation, that protects our privilege and/or our point of view. But, godly peace, true peace is not about winning our way, but gaining the heart and love of another. This is a hard word, isn’t it? We cannot aspire to real peace without a deep assurance that we are held in the hands of a God who is perfectly just, who will bring us into His home where there is peace forevermore.
So, let’s pray for peace and let it begin in me, today.
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O come, O come Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
O come, thou Wisdom from on high,
And order all things far and nigh;
To us the path of knowledge show
And cause us in her ways to go.
O come, thou Root of Jesse's tree,
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call.
O come, thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home.
The captives from their prison free,
And conquer death's deep misery.
O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thy justice here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel,
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
O Come O Come Emmanuel
Neale, John M. / Coffin, Henry S. / Helmore, Thomas
© Public Domain
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