Over fifty years ago some people started talking about peace.  Some were students, others were mothers, but for many, when we talk about the peace movement from the '60s, we have visions of anti-establishment hippies in our minds. These hippies were easy to ignore because they didn't cut their hair or shave their beards. They may have washed their clothes quarterly and they certainly were using hallucinogenic drugs!  But what if another guy talked about peace who probably didn't cut his hair, shave, or bathe regularly? He certainly wasn't using drugs, but he was filled with some sort of spirit.  Would we listen to him?

 

There is a story in the bible where the disciples come running to Jesus complaining that someone else was healing people in Jesus' name but they told him to stop because he wasn't a part of their team.  (I hope that made you chuckle.)  Jesus, of course, tells them not to stop him because he is doing the same good work that they are supposed to be doing.  After a few stern words Jesus concludes with, "(B)e at peace with each other."  Why is this concept of peace so difficult?  Why are we so consumed with winning and being right?  Do these accomplishments matter more to us than harmony?

 

In a world so divided, we need peace and we need to do what we can to work toward this peace.  We need to see each other as allies on the same team, working toward the same goal, instead of calling someone an idiot because they went to the wrong college and cheer for your school's rival.  When we let ourselves be divided, we let evil win.  We are implored to look for the good in someone else, instead of the faults, and to begin with the positive.  Let me let you in on a little secret.  Your neighbor who cheers for the wrong team really is a nice guy.  Your coworker who votes for the other party, she isn't secretly trying to take down America.  That family with the accent and the pigment that is different from yours, they are God's children too.  

We live in a divided time, but that doesn't need to be how we are remembered.  We can work for peace, and we can make a difference.  We can look into the eyes of another and see ourselves.  There is good in you and there is good in them.  Let's start there.

See you in church,

 

Chris 

pastorchris@epiphanysuwanee.org

Mark your calendar and join us on Sunday, October 25th from 5:30-7:00 p.m. for food, games, costumes, and trunk or treating! All ages welcome! Bring a friend.