Peace That Speaks

 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” — Matthew 5:9 (NIV)

In recent years, our nation has seen a rise in political violence—assassinations and attempts against leaders and public servants. These tragedies cross party lines and ideologies. They reflect a deeper fracture: a world where disagreement too often leads to destruction.

As followers of Christ, we are called to live differently. We are called to be peacemakers.

Jesus blesses the peacemakers—not the peacekeepers, not the avoiders, but those who actively build peace. And that peace is not passive. It does not ignore injustice or silence the oppressed. It speaks truth but refuses to do so with hatred.

Peacemaking means naming injustice without becoming unjust. It means standing with the vulnerable without vilifying the powerful. It means refusing to let fear or fury dictate our witness.

This peace is not ours alone to create. It is a gift—shown to us through the example of Jesus Christ and sustained by the power of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus promised in John 14:27:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Christ’s peace is not the absence of conflict—it is the presence of love in the midst of it. It is the courage to speak with compassion, to act with integrity, and to resist the temptation to mirror the violence of the world.

Today, let us ask:

• Where am I called to speak peace into division?

• How can I name injustice without losing gentleness?

• What does it mean to be a child of God in a culture of outrage?

Let us be known not by our silence, but by our Spirit-led speech, not by our avoidance, but by our faithful presence. Let us be peacemakers—truthful, tender, and bold.

As the hymn reminds us, “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” May this be not just a melody we sing, but a movement we live.

God of peace and justice, you call us to be children of light in a world shadowed by violence. Teach us to speak truth with love, to resist evil without becoming hardened, and to build bridges where others burn them. Make us peacemakers in our homes, our churches, and our communities. May your Spirit guide our words and steady our hearts. In the name of Christ, our Peace, we pray. Amen.

Peace & Grace,

Pastor Tim