Sown in Peace

A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.
-James 3:18

It is harvesting season. Farm fields are full of crops. Some of us are praying that our tomatoes and cucumbers stop coming in soon because we are tired of giving them away.  This short verse invites us to picture a full harvest of righteousness, trees crowded with justice, fields filled with goodness, wagons full of care, compassion, kindness, and love.  This beautiful vision doesn’t come to fruition all on its own. It requires people who are willing to work towards peace. 

Working towards peace is not about avoiding conflict.  Peace is about understanding conflict and including and respecting the person or persons you find yourself in conflict with.  Peace is about understand one another’s stories and listening to each other’s opinions.  Peace is about being secure enough in our own belonging that we are not threatened by the difference’s others may bring.  Finally, peace is about standing up for those who are not being cared for. In some instances peacemaking creates conflict.  When we put in this work, we are planting and preparing the fields of righteousness.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers” and James shows us that peacemakers will be able to experience a harvest of righteousness.  May you experience this world as a harvest of righteousness this week.

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