In Pursuit of Peace

I Peter 3:10-11

“For, ‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.  He must turn from evil and do good, he must seek peace and pursue it.'”

"Realize Your Full Potential"

"Get What You Want From Your Mate"

 

                                                               "Get noticed on the Job"

These are all examples of titles of articles you can expect at any given time from a variety of magazines.  They are all geared toward positioning yourself to get what you want in life and how to finesse and manage people to give it to you.  To our western minds, there is appeal in getting what we want because we have been trained to believe that we deserve the best.

In today’s reading, it appears that seeing good days and having success in life is found in methods that are polar opposites of the world’s way.  In fact, the world would have you kiss up to people, even if you have to stretch the truth.  The Word of God advises us to stay away from this type of speech.  Rather, we are to do good to others.  But it does not end there.  We are told to “seek peace and pursue it.”

Many of the top action movies in the country have a chase scene, a suspenseful, jaw-dropping event, where the police are in hot pursuit.  That gives us the best understanding of pursuing peace.   It is an all-out endeavor. Peace in relationships does not easily fall into our laps.  It is the fruit of much work, effort and sacrifice.  But it is a pursuit with worthwhile results.  Why?  Because not only do we enjoy improved relationships, but it allows us to love life and see good days.

How do I find this type of peace?  First, we must speak the truth.  Telling lies robs you of your peace and damages trust in relationships.  We must learn to speak the truth in love, finding a way to be truthful but not brutal.

Secondly, we must turn from evil and do good.  When someone wrongs us, we do not have the luxury of trying to pay them back.  God is our Defender.  He is our Avenger.  We can trust Him to watch out for us.   This does not mean that we become a door mat to people, but it does mean that we do not try to exact justice for ourselves.  We can tell others we have been hurt and even establish boundaries in relationships.  But the results must be left in God’s hands.

Finally, we have to make peace a goal in our lives in several key areas.  We must strive for inner peace by keeping our hearts pure before the Lord. Walking in sin and condemnation robs us of our peace.  Following the Word of God brings us into places of great peace and contentment.

 In addition, pursuing peace means we have to work to have good relationships with others.  Is it really important to always be right?  Is it not more important to keep peace?  There are times we must confront and deal with issues, but much of the time the peace stealers in our relationships are over small and unimportant issues. 

My encouragement for you today is to begin to retire from pushing for your way and your goals all the time, and rather, walk in love.  As we pursue God’s plan for our lives, we can trust Him to bring about His purpose in our lives.

Dear Lord, help me to walk today in peace.  Teach me how to pursue it.  Help me to keep my tongue from deceitful speech.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Sherri