Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9)

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:17,18)

There are two sorts of people in the world: people who promote the peace and well-being of others, or people that erode the peace and well-being of others. Peacemakers walk into a room and with them bring an anointing, an aroma, of peace. They are able to contribute to the overall good nature of their relationships both in person and via text, email, Facebook, or any other medium. Havoc-makers suck the life out of the people around them, saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, promoting personal agendas, and ultimately caring only for their selfish purposes, their pet ills, their reasons for whining, and their pitiable self-pity.

The holidays are upon us, and scores of people will be in our lives, in our homes, at our office parties, family meals, church functions, and social gatherings. We can choose and we can pray to become people of peace in each of those contexts in order to intentionally elevate the peace in others’ lives. We can only do that with the help of the Prince of Peace.

Father,

You have given Jesus as our teacher and guide and the Holy Spirit as our helper. I ask that you would fill me with the Holy Spirit every day so that His fruit would manifest in my life, in my relationships, and in every context in which I find myself. I especially ask that I would become a person whom you can rely on to extend, promote, and encourage peace in every encounter I have today and every day. I take the seeds of peace You have given me through your Holy Spirit, and I will with great intention sow them everywhere I go.

“Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.”

Amen