Are you a Peacekeeper or a Peacemaker?
Matthew 10:34-35
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother.”
We’re in the midst of a politicized pandemic.
One of the most contentious Presidential elections we’ve ever experienced is right around the corner.
We’re in the middle of a revolution centered on equity for black lives and a restructuring of law enforcement.
Our country is experiencing the worst division since the Civil War era.
The words of Jesus have become reality. In our current climate we don’t have to look too far to see division amongst families. And yet, Jesus tells us that we should anticipate division, especially when we partner with Jesus to bring peace.
Wait, Jesus says that peace will create division?
Watch a recent Forefront Sermon on Peacemaking or read other articles from Forefront on this topic by clicking here.
What comes to mind when you think of peace? Most of us would say that peace is the minimization of conflict. That’s a good thing, right? It's a good thing if you’re a peacekeeper.
There are a lot of us peacekeepers. Our intentions are good. We do want to minimize conflict. On the surface being a peacekeeper is a noble endeavor.
But there is a heavy cost to the minimization of conflict.
You see, peacekeeping is the ultimate form of gaslighting. It does nothing to address the injustices that bring division and does everything to make sure that the status quo remains just that, the status quo.
Peacekeeping keeps the conversation light around the dinner table instead of addressing the racist ideations of a family member.
Peacekeeping downplays abuse with phrases like, “was it really that bad?” and “That’s not what they meant.”
And right now in the midst of the cries of our Black siblings we have a ton of peacekeepers. They’re the ones that say, “I don’t appreciate how they protest!” or “Why are they taking a knee?” because instead of asking why a group of people might be working for liberation we’d rather address why they’d do it in a way that does not keep the peace.
Frankly speaking, peacekeepers have incentive to minimize conflict and keep the status quo. More often than not peacekeepers benefit from the status quo.
Peacekeepers minimize conflict at the expense of restoration.
When Jesus talked about the peace that divides families he was not talking about peacekeepers. He’s talking about peacemakers.
Peacemaking cares nothing for the status quo and cares only about restoration, knowing that it won’t minimize conflict but ultimately end conflict completely.
Peacemaking knows that there is a reason for conflict that must be brought to the surface before real amends can be made.
Peacemaking knows that abusers must repent and atone in order for there to be real peace.
Peacemaking acknowledges the broken systems that inordinately oppress our country’s citizens and calls them to account.
Peacemaking is willing to move beyond peacekeeping and the minimizing of conflict to restore all of humanity to the kingdom that God intends.
True restoration happens not through peacekeepers minimizing conflict in order to keep everyone happy. Full restoration comes through peacemaking, which is willing to forgo temporary happiness in order to make sure that humanity is healthy.
Jesus sums it all up with one line, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
How do we make peace when it seems that Jesus' proclamation is truer than ever? Our families are divided. Our long lasting friendships are in peril. Our workplace is filled with tension. How do we work to bring health and restoration to our immediate relationships?
Often we work to make peace with others through the primary use of our amygdalas. It’s often called the fight or flight part of our brains. The amygdala heightens our senses, increases our adrenaline, and exacerbates receptors that bring on feelings of anger or excitement. These are all good things if we’re being chased by a bear. Unfortunately our amygdala’s operations are not so helpful when working with our loved ones to make peace. It’s time for a more thoughtful approach.
1. We make peace when we set boundaries.
Boundaries are the distance at which I can love you and me simultaneously.” – Prentis Hemphil.
Peacekeepers make boundaries to push others away. It’s an attempt at minimizing conflict. Peacemakers articulate what they need in order to cultivate respectful and loving interactions that make space for restoration and health. Peacemaking is a marathon and predetermine boundaries that allow them to love themselves and others.
2. We make peace when we refuse to be silent.
Peacemakers feel a sense of urgency knowing that there are some whose lives are literally at stake. They’re willing to speak up, take stands, and practice civil disobedience because they know that the situation is urgent. While peacekeepers stay silent, peacemakers show great courage often at the expense of their own power and privilege. They know that acts of civil disobedience are necessary and that interpersonal interaction can create change.
3. We make peace when we look for shared identities and commonalities
Peacemakers look for common orthodoxies with those with whom they disagree. They know that shared values create validation. As a pastor who believes in full inclusion and affirmation of the LGBTQIA community, I often talk to those who believe differently.
There are many a correspondence that go like this,
“The Bible is clear that being gay is a sin. You’ve lost your way and don’t follow the Bible.”
Peacemakers respond by saying,
“On the contrary I believe that our scriptures are of the utmost importance and I use their words to guide my life and beliefs.”
4. Peacemakers find ways to connect their common beliefs.
Peacemakers might say,
“Christianity has a consistent history of changing with times and even changing interpretation once we realize that it’s not helpful for the prosperity of humanity.
I think we can agree that we’re both happy that popes and pastors can’t use scripture anymore to burn people at the stake. They used to justify it with scripture and came to realize that maybe they were wrong.
We can also agree that we’re thankful that there are no more crusades based on scripture reading, anti-semitism, inquisitions, or science that teaches about the sun revolving around the earth. Most recently churches recognize that there’s more to divorce. It’s no longer the scarlet letter it once was and in some cases it’s a good thing.”
5. And then peacemakers turn their common beliefs into a question.
Do you think it’s possible that we’re in a period right now where we’re doing some real harm to people and it might be time to continue with Christian history and tradition and make some changes to err on the side of love? It’s been done many times before.
Peacemakers know that there are beliefs, stories, and people that tie us together with those who disagree. Peacemakers know that fruitful conversations flow from thoughtful searching of those common orthodoxies.
6. Peacemakers know when it’s time to suspend conversation and turn it into action.
Peacemakers set their boundaries knowing that one conversation rarely leads to immediate agreement. They recognize that taking action is needed to highlight inequity.
Peacemakers protest, vote, and enact policies that support the most vulnerable. They support black owned businesses even though it might be less convenient because peacemakers know it brings power back to those who’ve had it taken. And for the privileged, peacemaking is often giving up power and becoming accomplices for the sake of our siblings and at the direction of our siblings.
Wherever we can move beyond action and work to restore the systems behind the actions, that’s where our peacemaking lies. And yes, it’s divisive.
Peacemaking will piss off a lot of people who are really happy about the status quo.
Lest we forget Jesus tells us that peace is like bringing a sword.
Peacemakers are courageous enough to forgo our own self preservation for the sake of another. That’s hard. Wherever there is work to repair instead of perpetuating harm, this is peacemaking.