When President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, many called it an aspirational prize and not a prize of achievement. The aspiration pointed to the hope for what he might achieve among conflicted neighbors and global relationships.
However, thus far President Obama has maintained that there is a way forward no matter how ridgid the sides may be. He has taken this stance with the US Congress, in diplomacy, and in relationships among people who disagree.
As a believer that Jesus Christ showed another way to live that centered on God's goodness rather than conflict, I believe that a peacemaker is one who calls us to a standard of behavior that respects the dignity of everyone. I believe a peacemaker is thoroughly practical and realistic about divisions and dynamics for discontent and still continues to be one who models a standard of behavior to find a way forward. A peacemaker looks for another way to frame the issue and solve the problem. A peacemaker believes 'there is more than one way to slice a loaf of bread.'
A peacemaker may be prominent in the world community or known only to the members of one's home community.
Perhaps we can consider President Obama's Nobel Prize as a verb, the action of continually creating, finding, naming the way toward peace, rather than a noun, a place or a thing to be achieved.
Reflecting on the every day, practical dimensions of faith. Practices to shape our lives each day as followers of Christ. Stories to share our practical experiences of wisdom, faith, hope, and love.
