Peace, Our Aim

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what

leads to peace and to mutual edification.”

Romans 14:19 (NIV)



We live in a time of uneasiness. People can’t seem to get along with one another. Everyone feels like they have to walk gingerly around the ones who used to mean the most to them.

Hubby made an observation about people recently. We were eating out. He had noticed some customers getting up and going to their servers to give them their tip. He asked one of the women about it and what he surmised. The woman told him he was right.

If a tip was left on the table, tucked under the edge of a plate as customary, someone else would take the money, not the one who had assisted the diners.

We should all be mindful of the needs of others. A gratuity is given for good service. It helps the receiving person feel he or she has done a good job for those they have served.

Sometimes we hear of situations that distress people. The stories of comments made between generations that cause hurt to one of the particulars. People need to learn how to build up each other. We seem to forget that other people have emotions that can be easily damaged.

Paul tells us we need to try to go out of our way to find a peaceful course through life. What can we do to practice peace in our days?

If we happen to come upon a quarrel between a couple of people, we should pray very quickly to discern if we should ‘join in’. If we get the message we aren’t to say anything, then we should do as God has led.

If we see something going on in our neighborhood that is positive, such as a house being painted, and it looks nice, why not take the time to walk over and say something about it to the owner? It may make him or her feel that his efforts have been worthwhile.

People who work as volunteers in nonprofit organizations do so because they feel a need to serve God and their communities. Wouldn’t it be nice if they could hear how their efforts have helped a child, an adult, or a family through a difficult time?