We must all learn the art of peacemaking to avoid chaos from taking over our families and homes.
Matthew 5:9 says: “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Fathers, we are peacemakers, and we are raising peacemakers.
I think the family home is the most important of all places to have peace.
This is where we live together as a family.
This is where we eat and fellowship together.
This is where we find rest and a sense of belonging.
We all know Psalm 23:2 which says: “He maketh me to lie down in great pastures: he leadeth ne beside the still waters.”
I looked after sheep in the early days of my life on our farm in New Zealand where my father owned many hundreds of sheep, up to a thousand when the lambs were born. Sheep require a place of tranquility in order to lie down and rest. The pastures must be green and healthy so their stomachs will be full and satisfied. Only then will they cease to be restless and able to lie down and sleep peacefully.
This verse also mentions that they need to be led by “still waters,” not raging chaotic flood waters where we endanger their lives and they cannot drink of those dangerous waters.
As parents, we are in a real sense, shepherds of our families. God calls His people “His flock” and “His sheep” (Psalm 74:1; 79:13; 80:1; 95:7; 100:3; and Zechariah 10:3. Therefore, the whole of Psalm 23 is a shepherd’s manual for both pastors and parents. We are indeed the shepherds of our families.
“Still waters” are peaceful waters. A chaotic environment is not a healthy environment for children. “Still waters” are tranquil waters where your family can rest and be at peace.
Are you a peacemaker in your home? Or are you a troublemaker in your home? Even hidden sins can disturb the peace in your home such as looking at violent movies or watching secret pornography. Entertaining lustful thoughts or angry attitudes (even in secret) can disturb the peace in your home. Secret negative attitudes can be felt by those who walk in the light.
1 John 1:7 says: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
There is nothing worse than trying to hear something important when there is static of some kind or electrical interference (radio or cell phone). Secret, negative attitudes will create static and interference with the atmosphere of your home.
Parents, we have to get to the bottom of these negative attitudes, even when they are not verbally expressed for they will create static or a flickering light. True fellowship can only be enjoyed by those who walk in the light. Those who are peacemakers and light makers will automatically have the blood of Jesus Christ cleansing them from all sin. They are more than willing to confess their sins and faults to one another and to the Lord.
As parents, we must teach our children to confess their faults and sins so that they will forsake the things that hinder the fellowship.
How can we call ourselves the children of God if we do not actively engage in peacemaking?
Does Jesus Christ feel at home in your home?
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
Painting by Ron DiCianni