Scripture & A Snapshot

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

I'm not always a peace maker.  You can ask my husband : )  This verse is on my calendar for August 2012.  At first, I read it and thought, "I want to be a peace maker."  It's such a wonderful word, "peace."  Then I remembered that dirty look I gave someone last week.  I was grumpy to begin with so I'm not so sure it was an official "dirty look."  But it wasn't encouraging that's for sure.  I think about always smiling whether I feel like it or not.  Fake smiles don't work very well on me...  People know.  God knows when I'm faking it.  He's not impressed.

Maybe making peace isn't about outward appearance and smiles.  Last Sunday our Church had no electricity.  We had a bad storm and the township was knocked out.  It even made the News on TV.  We got to Church and only the Choir Director and Pastor were there.  They figured no one would show up, so they were preparing to shut down.  Something about it made me remember times of worship with no music, no lights, just candles.  Just singing to the Lord.  So I encouraged the Pastor and Choir Director to sing some simple hymns.  After all Jesus said, "Where two or more are gathered in My Name, I will be there."

So we proceeded with a simple service.  Slowly people came, climbing over tree branches and maneuvering the streets.  The Church was half full : )  We sang "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty" (one of my favorites).  The Pastor's message was on how God always starts small and then builds.   An example of this was how Jesus fed the multitudes with some bread and a fish.

As we walked out the door, I had to laugh with the Pastor.  God had provided a living example for us.  In the midst of a disaster, we found peace.  I don't think it's just about smiles, it's about His warm presence in us.  Worshiping together brings a harvest of righteousness (faith).  It's about listening without judging, letting His light shine, making peace.

Feel free to comment if you like : )