Trinity Daily Devotion

Let There Be Peace
Deacon Shelton Smith
Matthew 5:9 NIV

Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God.

Brothers and Sisters, the current visibility of youth in America looks very different during modern-day times than it did during the 1970’s and 1980’s when I grew up. I am proud to have grown up during a time when children were able to experience the joy of childhood. We looked forward to playing outdoors riding our bikes, skateboarding, playing softball, hide-and-go-seek, tag, and tackle football, and of course, participating in a wild-N-out snowball fight amongst friends during the Chicago winter months. The golden days of traditional old-school fun seems to have vanished amongst the current generation of youth. Many of today’s youth seem to be interested in activities that escalate into heightened, unattractive attention. Unfortunately, this level of attention leads to unanswered questions with a need to develop peace strategies to eradicate these behaviors.

Our scripture in the gospel of Matthew tells us that those who advocate for peace will be blessed. God will reward those who promote peace. When we promote peace, we are emulating the behavior of God. As children, we are taught to exhibit conduct that is complementary to our parents. When children leave home, they are often reminded that they are a representation of their parents. In addition to representing our earthly parents, it’s important for us to remind ourselves that we also represent our creator as children of the most-high God. Brothers and Sisters, God is omniscient, that means God knows all. God is omnipresent, that means God is everywhere. Beloved, since God is all-knowing and everywhere, that means God witnesses everything we do. We are responsible for our actions. Our actions are expected to comply with God’s word. Brothers and sisters, during times of frustration, when you feel like your voice is not being heard, remain calm and peaceful. During times of uncertainty when you feel like you don’t matter, remain calm and make peace with your circumstances. When someone has mistreated you for their personal gain, remain calm and make peace with the situation. Remember, God says blessed are the peacemakers, not the instigators.

Brothers and Sisters, be intentional with developing a pattern of behavior that begins and ends peacefully. Each time we leave our home, it is important for us to allow those whom we encounter to experience God through our embrace as children of God. One of the greatest compliments you can ever give or receive is the compliment of being identified as a child of God.


PRAYER:
Lord God, please help us comply daily with meeting your expectations for your children.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Are you willing to convert to God’s way of doing things?