| Matthew 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” |
We look around our world and strife walk the streets.
Anger on social media is rampant.
Name-calling and accusations have become so routine we think little about them. In many cities, violent crime has risen like a skyrocket.
John knew the problem.
John Dusseldorf came from a middle class family from Lubbock, TX. He wanted to be a dentist.
When he finished high school, he stayed at home and went to Texas Tech.
But there was something in him that just did not feel right. Words, poetry seemed to invade his mind. He found himself strumming his guitar and humming.
The more he looked at becoming a dentist, the more restless he became.
He went home and told his parents he would like to drop out of school and become a singer. As any parent, his father was skeptical but saw his son’s yearning. So, he gave his blessing. And John struck out on his own…and he became quite famous.
You may not recognize the name John Dusseldorf but you might have heard of him by his stage name…John Denver, the singer of the Rocky Mountains and the West Virginia backroads.
He wrote one poem that might best sum up our world. He called it the peace poem.
There’s a name for war and killing
there’s a name for giving in
when you know another answer
for me the name is sin
but there’s still time to turn around
and make all hatred cease
and give another name to living
and we could call it peace
And peace would be the road we walk
each step along the way
and peace would be the way we work
and peace the way we play
And in all we see that’s different
and in all the things we know
peace would be the way we look
and peace the way we grow
There’s a name for separation
there’s a name for first and last
when it’s all for us or nothing
for me the name is past
but there’s still time to turn around
and make all hatred cease
and give a name to all the future
and we could call it peace
And if peace is what we pray for
and peace is what we give
then peace will be the way we are
and peace the way we live
Yes there still is the time to turn around
and make all hatred cease
and give another name to living
and we can call it peace
And isn’t our calling as Christians to be more than what we see and read and post?
Jesus reminds us of the importance of doing kingdom work. He said in the sermon on the mount: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
In a world of hate, we build a bridge to God and to others. We must be peacemakers.
What will you do today to promote peace?
Robert G. Taylor
robertgtaylor.com
