Reflection
There is a difference between peace-keeping and peace-making. Peace-keepers avoid conflict; they smooth things over and change the subject. Peace-makers walk into the tension in order to reconcile.
Jesus calls peacemakers 'children of God' because they resemble their Father. God did not keep the peace with a broken world by staying away. In Christ he came close, at great cost, to make peace (Colossians 1:20).
Peacemaking is rarely dramatic. It is the apology offered first, the honest conversation instead of the silent treatment, the refusal to forward the angry message.
Apply it
Think of one strained relationship. What is one small, concrete step toward peace you could take this week — and what would it cost you?
Pray
Prince of Peace, make me a peacemaker. Give me courage to take the first step and humility to listen. Amen.