Blessed are the peacemakers...  Matt 5:9

My mum was a great example of a peacemaker! The squabbles and fights between my siblings and I certainly gave her plenty opportunities to practice. Growing up, I saw how she intervened in our arguments, calmed us down, helped us see the situation from another perspective and encouraged us to love one another. I have a great relationship with both my brother and sister today and that is in part thanks to her.

But being a peacemaker extended beyond these childhood squabbles. I occasionally watched her sacrificially forgive someone who had hurt her, and I also saw her gently offer words of wisdom to others who were struggling to mend their personal relationships. She was a great example and I wish I was more like her!!

Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God – Matt 5:9

It’s a great quality to be a peacemaker, but this verse says that when we are seeking to make peace with others, we are truly reflecting something of our heavenly Fathers character.

This week, in Women to Women we will be looking at Matthew 5:33-48 where we read “Be perfect therefore just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (v48) and we’ll see three more examples from Jesus of how we can be more like our Father in the way we relate and react to others.

I find it hard enough trying to follow mum’s example, so how am I to ever aspire to following my heavenly Father’s example? What do I do with the tension that exists between God’s call to righteousness and my inability to be righteous? These are important issues to discuss.

We’d love to see you on Wednesday night.