I once met a man who always seemed to need personal conflict in his life. He would create conflict when there was none to be found. Do you know the type? The one who perpetually stirs up something with another person when there could be peace, instead?
This person seemed to always need an enemy. Who the enemy was or what the subject of conflict was did not seem to matter if he could complain to others about how he was hurt, how wrong the other person was, or how difficult to deal with his adversary was. This quarrelsome man ironically also enjoyed creating comradery with others who found his enemies to be at fault. There is an old saying, “the enemy of my enemy is my friend,” and this man seemed to live by it.
We live in a world that teaches us to polarize against one another. Whether we scroll our way down the paths of social media or flip the channels of opinionated news channels, we find ourselves falling down the rabbit hole of divisive opinion-making gurus and being driven toward making, or at least labeling, enemies of those who disagree with our opinions, perceptions, or what is popularly called “our truth.” When we find ourselves with like-minded people, our tendency is to talk about those “other people” who have offended us and acted as enemies toward us simply by having different opinions.
This year contains new challenges and new opportunities to continue to deteriorate amid this destructive and infectious phenomenon or seek to improve. No matter the past, we have the future to shape and mold, instead of allowing others to shape and mold us. How should we seek to shape the future? We can shape our future by seeking peace.
In the Sermon on the Mount, we read Jesus’ words concerning peace. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). This is couched near the end of the section we call the Beatitudes, (trivia: these are named for the Latin words, beati sunt, which mean “blessed are”). He goes on to say “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” in verse forty-three.
Somehow, I do not think we have come to a great understanding of these words. What would life be like if we grasped this truth, or rather, this command? Instead of talking about each other, we would talk with one another. Instead of complaining about being damaged, hurt, or wronged, we would seek to restore damaged relationships and work together to prevent the recurrence of these issues. Instead of misunderstanding each other, we would seek to understand different points of views and the factors that lead to these views.
Consider this passage from the Apostle Paul:
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:14-21).
Friends, let us not fall victim to polarization. Beware of the temptation. Refuse to be like the man who thrives on strife. Practice peace. In 2024, let us choose the high road.
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