Blessed Are the Peacemakers

Watercolor Devotional 6

by Jennifer Greene-Sullivan

This morning, I found myself sitting quietly with Matthew 5:9 while painting a single iris.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” (ESV)

At first, the verse felt simple and familiar. Yet the longer I lingered with it, the more I realized how difficult true peacemaking really is in a loud and divided world. Communities feel tense. Relationships feel strained. Opinions rise quickly while listening seems to disappear more every day.

As I painted, I kept thinking about how often we rush to respond before we pause long enough to listen. We interrupt. We defend. We react emotionally. Yet Jesus never seemed hurried in His interactions with people, even when surrounded by conflict, pressure, or misunderstanding.

Real peacemaking requires the presence of God.

It requires us to linger with the Holy Spirit long enough for our hearts to become softened and aligned with His. Peacemakers are not simply people who avoid conflict or pretend problems do not exist, but they are people who carry the peace of Christ into difficult places because they have first spent time abiding in His presence.

Jesus said in John 14:27:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.” (ESV)

The peace of Jesus is different from the world’s version of peace. Worldly peace often means avoiding discomfort, protecting appearances, or maintaining shallow harmony at all costs; however, the peace of Christ flows from truth, humility, wisdom, and surrender to the Holy Spirit.

That kind of peace changes atmospheres.

It changes marriages, friendships, churches, and communities because the light of Christ within us naturally pushes back darkness. The Holy Spirit teaches us when to speak, when to remain quiet, and when to simply sit beside someone in love and gentleness. Sometimes the most powerful peacemaking begins not with speaking louder but with listening longer.

As I painted this flower today, I realized something else.

Flowers do not strive to be beautiful. They simply remain planted where the Father placed them and grow toward the light. Perhaps peacemaking works much the same way. When we stay rooted in Christ and attentive to His Spirit, His peace begins flowing naturally through our lives into the people around us.

Maybe the world does not need more noise right now.

Maybe it needs more believers willing to linger, listen, and pay attention to the heart of God.

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HOW ABOUT YOU?

Have you been reacting more than listening lately? Have tension, stress, or noise made it difficult to hear the gentle leading of the Holy Spirit in your relationships and conversations?

Spend time meditating on:

📖 Matthew 5:9 — Blessed are the peacemakers
📖 John 14:27 — Peace not as the world gives
📖 James 1:19 — Quick to hear, slow to speak
📖 Galatians 5:22–23 — The fruit of the Spirit

Challenge

Before responding quickly this week, pause and pray first. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you become someone who brings His peace into your family, workplace, church, and community.

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Prayer

Lord,

Teach me to linger in Your presence long enough for Your peace to shape my heart. Help me listen carefully, respond gently, and reflect Jesus well in my relationships and community. Let the Holy Spirit guide my words, my reactions, and my attitude so that I become a true peacemaker who carries Your light into dark places. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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