Is Peace always the Best Choice?

Luke 12:51 - Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.

I love peace and harmony. I love it when everyone gets along. I know I am not alone in this. Ever since the Peace Movement of the 1960s, peace has been the ultimate goal and the preeminent value for many in our world.

There is no question that war and violence bring great destruction and that much evil has been done in the world. Yet, should peace always be our first priority? Peaceful resolution of conflict usually involves compromise. Often that is good. When I surrender my selfish desires to meet the real needs of another that is a good thing, but denying what I know to be right and true to appease the anger of another is a different story.

For many of us, the words of Jesus in Luke 12:49-53 do not make us comfortable. We would rather reflect on the prophecy in Isaiah 9:6 that calls the Messiah to come 700 years later the “Prince of Peace.” We like the promise the Christmas angel brought at his birth that Jesus’ coming would bring “peace on earth and goodwill to men.” Jesus’ ultimate mission was to bring peace with God and those who would follow him. Yet, Jesus warns us that choosing to follow him does not mean we will always find peace and harmony in our earthly interactions.

Jesus is certainly speaking of the opposition and persecution his followers have faced from those opposed to him and his Gospel, but sometimes we face internal conflict, too. Those of us eager for harmonious relations need to remember that someone else’s unhappiness with our decisions or actions does not mean they are wrong. Conflict is often necessary to achieve the best result. When has conflict been a better choice than acquiescence in your life?