Yesterday was Veteran’s Day. I took the day off, enjoyed the parade in downtown Jacksonville. It was fun! Pretty cool that we spend a whole day every year in gratitude for the soldiers that fought for our country. Those who fought for a worthy cause…

So I was thinking about peace since that is something that I try to write about here frequently. When I think about peace, especially on Veteran’s Day, my thoughts drift to those conflicts that affect us globally… fighting for a worthy cause. The big ones, like WWII. What if we chose not to fight? What would the world look like now? What if…

Interestingly, my thoughts today were focused on trying to foster peace closer to home, here in my own community… with everyone that I come into direct contact with. What if we chose not to fight? What would the world look like now? What if…

I came up with lots more questions…

What would that look like, to try to bring peace to my community?

Who would be involved?

What would I say, or do?

What if?

Do you feel like there is peace in your community?

I see a lot that can be done here…

I guess this is pretty much a continual process.

… and so I spent some time looking for the answers.

I think most of us find some form of peace in our own world.

Would we say that the battle is won then?

Maybe a lack of conflict doesn’t really define this word… peace, does it?

Peace… one typically will not find this until they seek and listen for the truth. Like maybe the whole truth. Maybe call this part wisdom?

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:13-18

These verses, to me, just seem to breathe with lovingkindness.

Sowing in peace… this sounds like it would take work. Like kneading the dough, if you will. Starting within… and working out from there.

Maybe today it’s just a kind word. A smile. Or even something that requires more thought, or even more effort… Forgiveness? Mercy? Or grace?

Grace… extending kindness to the unworthy. Why? Well, because that’s the example that Jesus gave us. But I don’t feel like it? Do it anyway. But I want justice? But maybe it’s not all about you (or me), right? Impartial and sincere… and for a noble and worthy cause.

An encore performance…

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18

Peace, truth and grace…

Are we winning the battle?

What if we surrendered it all to God?

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