Devotion: Peacekeeping
Please review the scripture from the weekend: James 3:13-18
In his Letter from Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King Jr. mentions two kinds of peace: “a negative peace which is the absence of tension” and “a positive peace which is the presence of justice.” Another way of framing this is the difference between being a peacekeeper and a peacemaker, as Pastor Greg talked about. Peacekeepers maintain a negative peace. There may be a lack of strife and division, at least on the surface, but the root issues that stand in the way of true, Godly peace aren’t addressed. Peacemakers work for a positive peace—one that is just, merciful, and equitable.
Negative peace is far easier, of course. It only requires forcibly stomping out threats to the status quo or simply ignoring injustices and inequalities. It allows the peacekeeper to worry only about themselves. A positive peace requires thoughtfulness and discomfort on the part of the peacemaker. It calls for self-sacrifice and a willingness to put what’s just above one’s own desires. The author of James says that wisdom from heaven, which brings peace, is gentle and willing to yield. There are various synonyms depending on the translation, but none of them mean the same as “passive.” Peacemaking is an active endeavor. Peacemakers must be gentle and willing to yield, but that doesn’t mean sitting back and hoping tensions ease on their own.
As Christians, we strive for peace, but Martin Luther King Jr. shows us that there’s more than one kind of peace. To truly move toward a positive peace, we need the kind of wisdom the writer of James talks about: selfless, gentle, and full of mercy. The temptation of a negative peace is strong; it asks very little of us and keeps us in our comfort zones. But the kind of earthly wisdom that leads to a negative peace can never create a Christlike positive peace.
Heavenly Father, remind us to always strive for positive peace. Give us Your wisdom, because we know that’s the only way to achieve the kind of peace You envision for us. Amen.
Written by Preston Thiemann
Preston Thiemann and his wife, Rachel, live in Lincoln with their daughter, Clara. He is the Web Content Coordinator for the ASEM Marketing team at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where he’s worked since April 2015. At Sheridan, he also plays guitar with the Praise Band and is active in Sheridan’s 20s & 30s group called Second Quarter. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, watching movies and spending time with friends.