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Terry Morrow
Good News
“God blesses those who work
for peace, for theywill be called the
children of God” (Matthew 5:9).
Every day, most of us are
bombarded
with
new
opportunities to take care of
widows and orphans (James 1:27),
feed the hungry (Isaiah 58:10), care
for the poor (Psalm 82:3, Proverbs
14:31, Proverbs 21:13, Proverbs
22:9, Proverbs 28:27, Matthew
25:34-46, James 2:14) , defend the
oppressed (Psalm 10:18, Psalm
146:7, Psalm 103:6, Psalm 9:9), and
reach beyond stereotypes and
divisions (Luke 10:25-37). Although
it is important to be aware of what
is happening around us and of
opportunities to serve, it can
sometimes feel overwhelming and
we are tempted to shut down. On
this side of heaven, many people
begin to suffer from “compassion
fatigue.”
Compassion fatigue involves a
gradual decrease of compassion
over time. It is common among
professionals such as nurses,
psychologists and first responders
who witness trauma over a
prolonged period of time. With an
increase in social media and
information, news of devastating
and sad events and situations is
always at our finger tips, streaming
into our homes and offices.
Compassion incites us to rise
up and get involved, to pray for
those who are suffering, to
volunteer our time, to share our
financial provision with those in
need, and to listen to and
encourage
those
who
are
struggling. When we see so much
need, it is natural to becomeweary,
hopeless, and maybe even critical.
In light of this, what does itmean to
be a peacemaker in the 21st
Century?
Becoming a peacemaker
Let’s start with the idea of
“becoming.” We are all clay on the
potter’swheel (Isaiah64:8, Jeremiah
18:6). We are being molded by the
hands of Christ and, at the same
time, are the hands and feet of
Christ. We must allow Christ to
work in our hearts in order to
become the instrument hewants to
use
in
our
family,
our
neighborhood, our workplace and
our nation. Choosing the way of
peace is not easy or glamorous.
Becoming a peacemaker is a daily
choice and involves a continuous
re-orienting of our spiritual GPS
from the direction of the world to
the face of our Prince of Peace
(Romans 8:12).
AsChristians, we are designed
for a right relationship with God
and others. We are ambassadors of
Christ. As a result of Jesus’
resurrection from the dead, God’s
ultimate act of reconciliation
(Colossians 1:19-22), we are new
creation.We have a new identity as
people who are called to be agents
of reconciliation and peace.
As
compassion
fatigue
threatens to make its home in our
hearts, God invites us to shift our
eyes heavenward and remember
our source of compassion, wisdom,
strength, mercy and joy. Through
our
pursuit
of
becoming
ambassadors of Christ, we will
begin to viewothers and our world
through the eyes of Christ and
allow his power and spirit to flow
through us and fuel us. As we
release our self-absorption and
desire for short-term solutions,
God will offer us the courage to
sacrifice, share our gifts, offer hope,
serve and listen; to run this race
with an eternal view on this life.
A peacemaker for the 21st
century
What does it look like to be an
ambassador of peace today, in your
sphere of influence, with your
unique gifts?What does it look like
tobe a presence of reconciliation in
your neighborhood? What one
thing can you do today to work on
your anger, bitterness, or hard
heart? How might you view “the
other” with a lens of shared
humanity, seeking to understand
rather than to judge and love rather
than condemn? What one thing
can you do to rise up out of your
self-absorbed compassion fatigue
and
allow
a
God-centered
compassion to flow through you?
Many do nothing because they do
not believe they will make a
difference. Child of Christ, you can
make a difference. Will you?
What will you do?
Right now, I invite you towrite
down one way you will allow God
to use you for his glory. It may be
looking into the eyes of a woman
on the street without a home and
acknowledging her dignity with a
kind word, prayer or conversation.
Maybe youare able to spare the cost
of one completemeal eachweek to
feed a needy child, locally or
internationally.What if youwere to
invite God into your marriage and
choose to forgive, maintain a heart
of humility, serve sacrificially, and
love unconditionally…as Christ?
Do you have the privilege in your
professional, family, or civic life to
make decisions that promote
peace, defend the oppressed, and
care for those in need?
Christ is speaking to your
heart right now with a message of
his unique calling for your life.
Follow him. He has equipped you
with unique gifts, opportunities,
and passions, and he will continue
to equip you as his faithful
ambassador
of
peace
and
reconciliation. It is both our
identity and our calling. As you
consider your next steps, ask
yourself, “What would Jesus do?”
Dr. Terry Morrow is an assistant
dean and assistant professor at
Nova Southeastern University.
She has a Ph.D. in conflict
resolution and is in the process of
becoming a Certified Christian
Conciliator. She can be reached
at terryannmorrow@gmail.com.
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ACTIVE FAITH
10 August 2013
Good News - Broward Edition
21st Century Peacemakers