Peace, what an amazing concept. That all things and people can live in harmony without conflict. I like to think that peace is possible. In a world where there is so much conflict, anger and hate, it would be nice to know that peace is real and can happen. But how do we accomplish such a large thing like peace? I suppose like all things it starts with our own personal peace. We have to find the place within ourselves where we are satisfied with what we are doing and the part we are taking. Finding inner peace can also be a battle ground but overall I think that is where spirituality, religion and belief in God comes in. In a time when we really can't control what goes on around us...to a point anyway, we much control what we can. And what we can control is how we react, act, and feel about what is going on.
I think that conflict is a natural part and a necessary part of our lives. Things never change without some conflict, but at the same time is it possible to have peaceful conflict? Is it possible for things to change without the violence, anger and hate that often comes with conflict?
I believe that the answer is yes. I think that Jesus came to change the world, and he added some conflict into his message, he asks us to reevaluate what we are doing, how we are worshiping, the direction we are going, how we are thinking about things and how we are living our lives which can cause a lot of conflict but I think if we do it right it can be peaceful. It can be a peaceful change a conflicting change at times but peaceful all the same. Jesus challenged his disciples to go out and change the world through His message but to do it peacefully. Christians have not always done that very well. I think the time is now. It is our turn as Christians to go forth peacefully and change the world for the better. In a season of preparation and anticipation of a great celebration it is time to resolve the conflict peacefully for God. How are you going to resolve the conflict you see in your life, both internally and externally in your world?
I want to hear from you, how did your week go? Where is your conflict and how can we work together as Christians to resolve it? Join the conversation. I would love to hear from you all.
~Michelle
My week was extremely busy, I had more tests during last week's dead week than this week during finals. I think my conflict right now lies within the fact that I graduate in May and then start working almost immediately. The reason this is such a conflict is because I feel like I missed out on being young and doing things with friends. I definitely think this is a childish thing to say but sometimes I struggle with the fact that my friends still have two more years or so left of college to enjoy being young before the rest of their lives begin. I know in my heart that i made the right decision to go accelerated but sometimes it's hard because I am at a different place in life than many of my peers. This is pretty minuscule compared the the things that are happening in our world at this time. I think it is very important to give off a positive image of Christianity and what it means to be a Christian to everyone we encounter. This is something that is reinforced in me daily down at CSM. Though I believe it is beneficial to verbally spread the gospel to people we meet I think it can be just as effective as presenting yourself or living your life in a Christ-like way. I don't really know if this effectively answered any of your above questions but I tried :)
ReplyDeleteDayna, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I have been reading and rereading your comment since you posted it, looking for the right thing to say. And still now I am not sure that there really is a right or wrong thing to say to you. First I want you to know how proud I am of you. I am excited that you graduate in May and have followed through on this dream of yours. Second, I can tell you that even though I went to college for four years, I was still not ready for what all the world had in store for my post college life.
DeleteDon't forget that even though you will have graduated and that you are in a different place in your life then some of your friends when it comes to your career that you are still young and you can still partake in many of the same activities. Sure work, and paying bills and having those responsibilities changes things, I will not pretend that it doesn't. However, it doesn't mean, or at least shouldn't mean that you can still have fun, hang out and be the same person you have been.
I appreciate your sentiments about the effectiveness or presenting yourself and living your life in a Christ-like way. I completely agree and think that aspect of our lives is sometimes more important even then verbally spreading the word. Actions are so powerful and I believe that when we live our lives in a Christ-like way we are showing others the truth, clearer then when we just speak about it.
I am not sure that this is helpful or not but thanks again for sharing. Good luck on the remainder of your finals this week. And enjoy your Christmas break!