Rev. James Armpriester
23 November 2020
O ne month before I was born, in October 1962, the “October Crisis” reached its pinnacle as the United States and the Soviet Union nearly went to war. The issue was Soviet missiles being delivered to Cuba. Having a missile base in Cuba would put America in range of devastating nuclear destruction. For 13 days the world held its collective breath as the two superpowers moved ever so close to nuclear annihilation. Although the Soviets backed down, the Cold War continued in the rice fields of Vietnam. It was not until Gerald Ford became president, due to Richard Nixon’s resignation over an election scandal called Watergate, that the Vietnam War was officially ended.
In addition to war, the first 13 years of my life on this planet coincided with the assassinations of President Kennedy, his brother Robert, and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. It was a tumultuous time. The cry for peace came from every segment of society. Songs were written, movements founded, revolution called for as people searched for this elusive peace. The need for peace was so great the word “peace” even found its way into common vernacular, with its own sign and hand gestures.
Now more than 50 years later, our world is still desperately looking for peace. Like before, we look for it in all the wrong places expecting a “human” solution to a “divine” problem. Until we address our hostility towards God and are reconciled to him, we will continue to be at odds with each other. God loves us and wants us to be at peace with Him and with each other. So much so, He sent His son Jesus to be the vehicle of the peace we so desire.
Photograph via Canva
First, through His death and resurrection, Jesus made a way for us to be reconciled with God in this life and the next. All who accept Jesus as their peace offering will find a loving Father welcoming them into an eternal relationship with Him. Second, God fills us with His Spirit. This is important because it is by His Spirit that we now have the direction and power to live out our destiny as peacemakers.
Jesus tells us that being a peacemaker not only allows us an eternal relationship with God as His beloved children but brings us soul-satisfying happiness. In Matthew 5:9 Jesus teaches, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” We live a life of blessing as we invite people to be reconciled (live at peace) with God. We find our purpose by removing all barriers that keep us from loving others and living peaceably with them. Even those who espouse to be our enemies and actively persecute us will find us on our knees praying for them. Wow, what a transformation! As much as it depends on us, we live at peace with everyone.
If you are tired of fighting against everyone who doesn’t hold your point of view, economic status, or even cultural mores, I have good news for you! You are just the person God is looking for! Come to Him and let Him help you to discover what it means to be a peacemaker. He will reveal Himself to you and empower you to be an instrument of peace.
If you are ready to take your first step, please let me know. You can reach me via email at jim@tlcassembly.org. I would love to hear from you!
Helpful Resources
Billy Graham, Peace with God, Thomas Nelson Revised Edition 2000.