Making the First Move in Peacemaking

A bully approached a little boy. The boy was scared he was about to get beaten up, so he quickly drew a line in the sand. He told the bully, “Step across that line.” The bully stepped over it. With a grin on his face the little boy said, “Now we’re both on the same side!”

Jesus said, “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law, while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge …and you be thrown in prison” (Matt. 5:25). We are usually too slow in resolving conflict, which allows strained relationships to fester and creates painful consequences. Jesus said to make peace with your enemy “quickly” to prevent something worse that could happen to you.  

You might be reluctant to make the first move to reconcile, but God will bless the one who makes the first move in peacemaking. You step over the line—not to fight, but to make peace. “If possible, so far as it depends upon you, be at peace with all men” (Rom. 12:18). Many times reconciliation is not possible, but God says to make an attempt.

If your attempt fails, you can still have peace of mind because you obeyed God, even if your enemy won’t accept you. Sometimes your attempt to make peace will break down the wall of enmity. You may never be reconciled with someone refuses to work out differences. However, your attempt can ease the tensions of a strained relationship, and might even soften your enemy’s heart. 

Imagine if you were “both on the same side.” It might even bring a grin to your face.

www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com  www.makinglifecount.net

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Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net  

Dog Thoughts vs. Human Thoughts

Years ago, I had a dog with an IQ 1, maybe 2. Sometimes he would look at me and tilt his head as if he were trying to figure out what I was thinking. But there’s no way that he could read my mind because human thoughts are higher than dog thoughts.

If I read my dog Bandit every book in my library, it would have been a waste of time. If I opened the hood of my car and explained to him how to repair the engine, he would comprehend nothing. Humans have a much higher level of knowledge and understanding than dogs, and sending him to Harvard wouldn’t do anything to increase his IQ.

Just as people are much smarter than dogs, God is infinitely wiser and more intelligent than any human on earth. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa. 55:8-9)

How does God guide two people, who don’t know they are being led, to meet at a certain place and eventually get married? How does God answer our prayers at just the right time? We aren’t capable of understanding how He does this any more than Bandit understands how to read a book or repair a car. 

God is able to do far beyond all that we are able to ask or even think (Eph. 3:20). Stop trying to figure out how God will answer your prayer or meet your needs. You won’t be able to do it. Instead, just trust that He knows and is able to make it happen.
www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com  www.makinglifecount.net
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Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net