Nougat 10

I find it somewhat funny that as one who isn’t always enamored with Paul’s writing, his quotes stick easily in my mind. Today’s Holy Nougat is one such text.

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live in shalom with all people. Romans 12:18 TLV

Living in peace with others is not a mild walk in the park. For, as Paul rightly suggests, it is a two-way street. When that is added to the equation, hmmn, it really is impossible.

It is likely that when reminded that living peacefully requires other’s input you paused to consider. That’s what I did. The irony though, is that inasmuch as we can identify some people who seem to thrive on making our lives uncomfortable; we might be on someone else’s list. For, ‘what is joke to me a death to you’. (I know I turned it around; but if we’re the annoyance, it fits). In other words, what seems innocent or fun to me may not be understood in like manner by others.

And that’s the rub. We may even have assumed what is tolerable for another; found ourselves making decisions for them because we have decided that they ought to get over whatever hurt, embarrassment, disquiet, shame, etc they might feel; giving little consideration to them in the process. Ironically, when the shoe lands on the other foot – our own – it becomes a challenge.

(I recall one such case, someone made a comment about another that sent the room laughing. Moments later, the object of laughter turned the tables and repeated The Same Comment back to its originator. No one thought it appropriate. The object was reprimanded for using such language to the originator. When challenged on what had changed, the room went silent. While one may say the person who returned the favor of objectification was not living peacefully, there is that Justice element)

Obviously, we cannot live for everyone and censor ourselves for every single situation we face. For we might then be always reduced to silence. I believe that the request for peaceful living reverts somewhat to turning the other cheek; but also recognizing that we have a justice imperative. To be genuinely intentional about working towards God’s Justice and Peace.

The Peace that engages, uplifts, heals, restores, reconciles, and envelops. The Peace that transforms and renews body, mind and soul. The Peace that goes beyond even ourselves; for it originates from Christ Jesus, working in and through us for God’s glory. We might not have it as yet. However, it is possible, when we ask it if God’s Spirit.

Hey there, it’s praying time – for we need God’s own Peace to get through each day.

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May all we seek be found in Christ