What are you doing to be a peacemaker? Seven years ago David Streight, the president of Council of Spiritual and Ethical Education (CSEE) asked a group, which I was apart of, that question. He had us go around the room and answer the question. My heart started pounding. I could not think of anything. Here I was the religion teacher at an independent school and I could not think of one thing. Different people around the room began talking about their peacemaking efforts. Everything seemed so amazing. In my head I was frantically trying to think of something because I did not want to look totally inept! I did answer the question. The things I mentioned were positive things but what I remember from the day is I was not doing enough!! This experience was another powerful experience for me that moved me in the direction of the interfaith work I am doing in my community.
When I say that as a follower of Jesus I am compelled to be a peacemaker I am thinking in terms of the word Shalom. The Hebrew word for Peace is Shalom. Often times we think of peace as the lack of conflict. And the lack of conflict is an important aspect of peace. But as a peacemaker I don’t desire just a lack of conflict. Shalom refers to a hope of completeness or wholeness for the individual and the relationship. And what I love about the word Shalom is that it also refers to actions that move to completeness or wholeness. My hope is that my efforts are moving our community towards Shalom.
This will be my last blog post for awhile. The next six weeks in my life are busy with the very good things that occur in a family. My youngest son is getting married to an amazing young lady. They are having a destination wedding which is exciting and full of adventure. Both of my sons are moving to new locations. My husband and I will be assisting in this exciting new phase of their lives. Our oldest son is moving with his wife to Nashville, TN and will be starting his PhD program at Vanderbilt University in Community Psychology. Our youngest will be moving to New Haven, CT to start his PhD program at Yale University in Cognitive Psychology. For the next few weeks I will be traveling and helping these two great young families get settled in their new lives.
I leave you with this question.
What are you doing to be a peacemaker?
