Depends on You

READ

Peace with everyone. I don't know about you, but I really want it to come easily. I like for everyone to get along and be agreeable. So when conflict arises, I find it frustrating and inconvenient — I simply don't want to do the hard work of sorting through it. At times, I avoid it altogether, choosing to be a peacekeeper instead of a peacemaker. And yet, every time I do, I feel convicted. I know that the pursuit of peace God has called me to is active. As a follower of Christ, I have to be willing to move toward reconciliation. I have to be willing to do something.

In Romans 12:18, Paul gives us one clear thought on what that looks like:

"If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

REFLECT

I got on the elliptical in our garage the other day and started moving in that smooth, familiar motion. At first it felt easy — but within a few minutes I was already exhausted, which always seems to catch me off guard. Because the motion is so fluid, I trick myself into thinking it won't be hard. If I'm honest, I'd prefer all the benefits of exercise without any of the effort.

I think that's how I sometimes approach my relationships too — expecting that because I follow Christ, peace with others should be relatively easy and uncomplicated. But I've found that facing issues head-on in hopes of reconciliation is often awkward and difficult. It can be messy. It requires real effort. As we pursue peace, we have to reckon with what today's Scripture makes clear: some things actually depend on you and me.

So here's my list:

• It depends on me to read God's Word, so I know His love and can offer it to others.

• It depends on me to remember my salvation — to live humbly in God's grace and forgiveness, and extend that same grace to others.

• It depends on me to seek to understand another's perspective — to "be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry" (James 1:19).

• It depends on me to trust that God can use me as an instrument of reconciliation — to open up, admit my part in a problem, and even apologize first.

• It depends on me to see people the way God sees them — to view everyone as a gift, not a competitor or a threat.It depends on me to go to God in prayer and ask where I might need a little heart change.

• It depends on me to be obedient to Christ — to initiate that difficult conversation in hopes of bringing peace.It depends on me to ask God for wisdom when I've done all I know to do and things still aren't resolving the way I'd hoped.

• It depends on me to take steps of faith while clinging to the promises of God. Matthew 5:9 says, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." It's hard work — but it's who I want to be.

This active pursuit of peace is, well, just hard. It requires a close, abiding relationship with God. It requires honesty and humility. It requires effort. And even then, peace with someone may not always be possible. But don't quit. If we live as peacemakers who pursue reconciliation, I believe we'll see God move. The process is hard, but it so often leads to something beautiful — a deeper connection, a more sincere love, and a more lasting peace. So let me ask you: What depends on you?

RESPOND

Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you read.

• Where are you avoiding the active pursuit of peace? Is there a conversation you need to initiate?

• Because of the Cross, we are forgiven — and we can extend that same forgiveness to others. Where are you withholding forgiveness and allowing bitterness to take root? What would it look like to finally let it go?

• Where have you been unable to find reconciliation despite your best efforts? How can you surrender that relationship to God, trusting He is at work even when you can't see it?

REST

Take a moment to rest in God’s presence and consider one thing you can take away from your time reading, then close your devotional experience by praying:

Lord, I pray that I would be an instrument of Your peace and grace. Help me to live humbly as one who is forgiven and one who extends forgiveness to others. May I abide in You so fully that I am able to bring Your peace to those around me. Help me to walk in the harmony You desire as I bring Your kingdom to the people in my life. Amen.

Port City writer Holly Campbell wrote today’s devotional.