The Chicago Tribune reports that a young man lost
his life in a fight last week. It
all started when a car drove by a small party in a Chicago neighborhood, early
Sunday morning. A partygoer threw
a brick at the car, mistaking the vehicle for a car owned by a rival
gang member. The car stopped and a fight
broke out, leaving two people in the hospital and one dead. When the police arrived and interviewed
those involved, the gang members realized they were not rivals. In fact, everyone involved was a member of the same gang. In the confusion
of the conflict, the gang ended up killing one of their own.
We
shake our heads when we hear sad stories like this. But, this story illustrates a common temptation in conflict:
mistake allies as the problem and attack those allies instead of the problem. It plays out in ordinary ways. Challenging circumstances arise, we panic,
and then we attack friends and family.
When the dust settles, we realize we’ve hurt those we love the most.
In
the Gospel of John, Jesus promises to make His people into a people who avoid
such mistakes. Jesus promises to
make us a peaceful people instead of fearful people. By being a peaceful people, we far less
like to be swept up in the confusion of challenges and hurt those we love. Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my
peace I give you. I do not give
you what the world gives. Do not
let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
This
week, seek Christ so that your relationships might enjoy the peace He
offers. Spend time in prayer about
your relationships. Ask the Holy
Spirit to direct difficult conversations you need to have. Ask your spouse to pray with you about
a challenging situation before you discuss it. Seek Jesus and invite His peace into every area of your
life. As you do, enjoy the
relationships he has given you.
Those relationships are ways that God can be glorified.
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