“I’m so tired of all the conflict and division.”
“Why can’t people be nice and get along?”
“Can we stop with all the drama already?”
I hear these statements (and have said them myself) with increasing frequency. I think most of us are “conflict-avoidant” by nature. It’s part of the reason we live where we do… Fewer humans equals (or should equal) less conflict.
Blessed are the peacemakers, Jesus told his followers, something to aim for in day-to-day living. A good thing, right? Of course, but many of us have either been duped into or settled for being peacekeepers instead of peacemakers.
What’s the difference? A peacekeeper will avoid tension, disagreement and strife for the sake of “maintaining the peace.” They’ll sacrifice their own thoughts, opinions, feelings, and even values to avoid conflict. In the name of “keeping the peace” they’ll turn a blind eye to bad behavior, questionable motives, abuse, corruption, manipulation, and so forth.
If you paid attention in high school history, you’ll remember the “appeasement policies” adopted by Britain and France as Hitler began his reign of terror across Europe. Peacekeeping is similar to those appeasement policies — instead of keeping the peace that’s so desired, it gives evil a hall pass to run roughshod over anything and everything in their way. Peacekeeping is hoping the threat or tension or conflict will disappear quietly into the darkness if we ignore it. It’s a temporary Bandaid on a gaping wound, at best. Peacekeeping makes excuses for the abusers again and again so we can avoid a fight, or discomfort, or legal action, or hard choice.
A peacemaker, on the other hand, wades into the fray proactively with honesty, respect and — perhaps most importantly — internal peace. You can’t be a peacemaker if you haven’t first made peace within. A peacemaker is humble. They know life is not “their way or the highway.” When they make mistakes, they admit it and apologize and strive to do better. Peacemakers are respectful of others, consistent in temperament, gracious even when they disagree, and capable of checking their personal ego and privilege at the door for the sake of the greater good. They are rare, indeed, but so appreciated.
Look for them. Better yet, let’s become them.
By NIKI TURNER – editor@editorht1885.com
