Okay, I'll be quiet. And I'll be peace.

Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9).

Christians should be agents of God's grace, bringing about reconciliation between God and people, as we share the good news of the person & work of Christ.

Christians should also be agents of God's grace, bringing about reconciliation between other members of the household of faith. Unity among the body of Christ is a theme rampant throughout the New Testament.

Christians should be intruments of God's peace, helping others to have peace with God, by grace through faith in Christ, and helping others to have peace with each other.

Are Christians perceived as instruments of peace by the world? Or are we often perceived as bitter, angry, and hateful people? Sadly, for many perception is that reality. Sadly, their perceptions are often based on some measure of reality.

It is my prayer that Christians would be known more for love, to God and to others, known more as peacemakers. We don't compromise truth, but we speak the truth ... in love. (Eph 4:15)

In fact, my prayer for us is that we would all be able to pray the following, with our hearts, minds, and mouths.

O Lord, make me an instrument of Thy Peace!
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is discord, harmony.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sorrow, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not
so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

- attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)

Lord, help us to glorify you as we strive to be instruments of your peace, instrumental in sinners having peace with you and instrumental in us having peace with one another in Christ.