The price of peace

Matthew 5: 9 – God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

We are to ask God for the strength and courage to live out His word. To follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit into the good works He has prepared for us.

One night I was an umpire and messenger of peace.
It was late, after midnight, and I woke up hearing a commotion outside. I got up to check, listening intently and on high alert.  In South Africa you’re always keenly alert to dangers. After a while I heard grunting, foul language and discerned that there’s a scuffle going on. I put on my veldskoene (shoes) and went out to my front gate.

Underneath the streetlight, in the middle of the road, I saw our complex security guard and a young guy fighting. They were out of breath, shirts torn, grunting and each holding the others front shirt, looking bedraggled while using the other arm to hit one another. They were in a stalemate, neither one getting the better, locked in a stand-up wrestle, it looked ridiculous. I walked out and asked what the problem was.

The guard said the young guy, who was drunk, walked into our complex (he lives here) and they had a brief chit chat together in the guard house and when the young man left, he took R10.00 off the table and walked out. The money belonged to the guard hence the fight over the money. (R10.00 = less than US $1.00)

I told them to hold on for a while, (they remained in a wrestle hold). I went inside and fetched, out of my wallet, 2 x R20.00 notes, walked back, and gave each one R20.00. Their fight stopped immediately, they let go of each other, took the money, and just like that, went off. Peace and quiet restored for a mere R40.00.

It was a small price for me to bring peace and end to a stupid fight that had them beating each other up. The Lord reminded me of the scripture in the Bible, which says in Colossians 3:15 – “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. As members of one body, you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”

I was thankful, I called in the peace of God through a simple act of kindness. In the bigger picture of things, Jesus brought peace to a fighting and dying world through His sacrificial love and laying down His life for us.

I encourage you to not let the troubles and pleasures of this world or your circumstances rob you of your peace. Guard it! Treasure it! All the peace that Jesus Christ came to give us, will rule over our circumstances and lives today as we allow His peace to be our umpire.

It’s truly an honour to be used by God to further His kingdom on earth. You were made to live out the truth of the gospel. Choose today to act upon the leading of the Holy Spirit. Choose to be a doer of the Word.

Father God, life is meaningless without You. Tonight, two men tried to beat each other up, for money and because of alcohol, just plain stupid and meaningless. Sadly, it’s a scene that plays out all over the world. Help us! It would be awesome if everyone grasped that You alone, Jesus, are our source of joy, hope, peace, and comfort. You alone are our place of refuge. So today, please remove any fear in our life that is keeping us from worshipping You. We want You to become the purpose of our life, and that we live in meaningful purpose of You and Your ways.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Keep praying for peace that surpasses all understanding and continue towards being a faithful son and daughter in Jesus’ name!

Thanks for reading and sharing another of my life experiences, of how good Jesus has been to me. God bless you and stay singing, shining and smiling.

Des Sinclair

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