Piece to Peace

Imagine a gang that called themselves CROODS. Their gang would consist of members from the bloods and crips who have 'seen the light'. And obviously their gang color would be purple (red + blue). The Croods would be a gang of high fiving teenagers and older people who would serve the community, feed the poor, shelter the homeless, and throw up peace signs everywhere. They would mediate fights between other gangs to allow them to settle arguments, territory, pokemon cards, and other things that gangs fight for. This will be done through chess tournaments at the local park, cranium/taboo/scrabble/jenga matches, smash bros. matches, and more. Eventually, the Croods will make a band and play music at jazz cafes and major events. Then they'll get big and travel all over the world to share the love. And the Croods will go down in history as the peacemakers of mankind. And all together they will say, "Move over Peace Corp. We the troof!" And then they will say, "Peace out."

Pause my brain for second... I need a pause button in my head that will put a pause to the pause that I have in blanketing myself in my thoughts and never thinking to put my thoughts into thoughtful actions. Unpause. bloop*

I came across the passage and I read it. Peacemaker. My mind fell in love with the word. My ears fell in love with the sound. My spirit fell in love with the peace that transcends all understanding.

As a kid, a friend of mine used to cry when her brother and sister fought. She had nothing to do with the argument, but she would be standing there pouring her tears out until her siblings finally noticed the wailing sirens. Then she would become the victim. "Shut up!" "Stop crying!" And reluctantly they would stop their bickering not because they had come to an agreement, but most likely to hold back the flood. Without knowing it, she was searching for peace in a broken frame - the right piece in a broken picture. We all have at least a glimpse of what peace should look like, but when the world's theme is 'every man for himself' the image shatters into loud voices and angry faces and idealistic thoughts with no hope for fruition. Anger, harbored hatred, deep-rooted jealousy toward friends/family/neighbors/anyone stem from wanting my desires fulfilled with no regard to others around me. I have selfish ambition in me. But what I also have is the Holy Spirit in me who urges me on to peace.

We say You are the Prince of Peace, but we do not have peace. So I wonder.

I wonder if I can truly, humbly apologize to someone, knowing full well that I am innocent, for the sake of peace. I wonder if I can make a fool out of myself in my own eyes and in front of others for the sake of peace. I wonder if I would willingly and fairly mediate between divided parties for the sake of peace. I wonder if I can lay down my pride for the sake of peace.

I am not calling for a movement of 'push-overs', but rather an endless wave of bold and courageous souls that are bent on setting the picture straight. Peacemakers aren't timid and shy. Peacemakers make you cry. Peacemakers stand firmly against the dissonant standards of their generation. Peacemakers are prayer warriors. Their time of true humility is before God, relying fully on Him to break the walls, change the hearts, and provide the Peace. Peace like a river, not peace like a pond.

Now our prayers will flow like tears.

If I don't have peace, it's not because I want conflict. It's because I'm complacent and self-satisfied - too comfortable in my own skin.

Piece like a puzzle.

Remix #5: Remixed, to strive for Peace in all circumstances.