Great Plains Daily Devotional for 12/20/2020

Today please be in prayer for

Daykin UMC
Endicott UMC
Fairbury UMC
Blue River District
Dorchester UMC
Friend UMC
Blue River District
Hallam UMC
Martell UMC
Roca UMC
Blue River District
Lincoln Aldersgate UMC
Blue River District

Today's Lectionary Text

Matthew 5:9

Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.

Romans 12:17-18

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Today's Devotional

Jesus calls us to be peacemakers. This fact raises many questions. What is a peacemaker? Do you believe you are a peacemaker? What is peace? Is peace just the absence of war, or is it more? Did Jesus expect us to merely not bear weapons against others or is there more to this commitment?
 
I believe there is more to it. We are expected to not retaliate against someone who, you believe, has wronged you. As Christians, we must live at peace with everyone as we are all children of God. Regardless of race, gender, political or religious beliefs, sexual identity, age, and physical or mental challenges, we are called to be at peace with all children of God. To do this requires action. It is not a passive commitment.
 
Perhaps examples of a peacemaker means sticking up for a friend, or listening to others for what they need to say, or restoring a difficult relationship, or advocating to others without fear of what others may think. Or maybe it is encouraging others, providing a warm meal to the hungry in your neighborhood, or facilitating discussions in your church that focus on mission
 
Mother Teresa said, “Every act of love is a work of peace, no matter how small." We may ask ourselves what am I doing or could be doing to help bring God’s love and joy to others; a child of God peacemaker?
 
To be a peacemaker we need to find compassion, joy, and love in all people not just the avoidance of conflict. We can change how we look at life and recognize the value of peace. At this time of anticipation of the arrival of the most valued symbol of peace and love, the Christ child, let our hearts and lives be filled with peaceful images and action.
---Mary Feit, CLSp
Director of Lay Servant Ministries
Great Plains Conference
marykfeit@windstream.net
 

Prayer for Reflection

Great God, father and mother of us all, help us to recognize opportunities to become peacemakers. Strengthen the work of the Spirit in our lives to make us agents of your love. Amen.
 

 

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