So the LORD told Abraham, “I have heard a great outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah, because their sin is so flagrant. I am going down to see if their actions are as wicked as I have heard. If not, I want to know.” The other men turned and headed toward Sodom, but the LORD remained with Abraham. Abraham approached him and said, “Will you sweep away both the righteous and the wicked? Suppose you find fifty righteous people living there in the city—will you still sweep it away and not spare it for their sakes? Surely you wouldn’t do such a thing, destroying the righteous along with the wicked. Why, you would be treating the righteous and the wicked exactly the same! Surely you wouldn’t do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?” And the LORD replied, “If I find fifty righteous people in Sodom, I will spare the entire city for their sake.” Then Abraham spoke again. “Since I have begun, let me speak further to my Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes. Suppose there are only forty-five righteous people rather than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And the LORD said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five righteous people there.” Then Abraham pressed his request further. “Suppose there are only forty?” And the LORD replied, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the forty.” “Please don’t be angry, my Lord,” Abraham pleaded. “Let me speak—suppose only thirty righteous people are found?” And the LORD replied, “I will not destroy it if I find thirty.”Then Abraham said, “Since I have dared to speak to the Lord, let me continue—suppose there are only twenty?” And the LORD replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the twenty.” Finally, Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me if I speak one more time. Suppose only ten are found there?” And the LORD replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.” When the LORD had finished his conversation with Abraham, he went on his way, and Abraham returned to his tent. GENESIS 18:20-33 NLT
Sees multiple sides to any given decision or scenario
Are inclusive, patient and accepting of others
Good listeners and great mediators
Considerate of the perspective of others
Desires to see the world as a more peaceful place
Avoids conflict at all cost
Doesn’t declare their own needs
Passive-aggressive
Stubborn
Is indecisive, inactive or prone to procrastination
Doesn’t do the important or necessary things required for growth
The healthy Peacemaker is always in pursuit of embracing healthy conflict, declares their wants and their needs as a means of deeper connection with themselves and others.
Own and resolve their feelings
Make declarative statements
Embrace that conflict isn’t necessarily bad, and their involvement can actually lead to a resolution
Pursue faith with action
Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. ROMANS 12:11 NLT
Lord, help me to trust you in the midst of conflict. Help me to know my feelings and share them with others. Strengthen my will to do what I don’t want to do, but need to do! And help me to share the spiritual depth you have blessed me with.
Find a quiet place where you can be alone. Spend a few moments releasing the events of the day, the needs of those around you and the tensions of your environment. Breathe in and out until you feel a sense of peace. Now allow yourself to reflect on this thought: before God made the universe he knew all of the events and relationships that would grow you. But at the center of all of that, God knew the profoundness he would place in you. The way that he made you is a conversation between you and him. Spend some time sitting in that conversation, asking God what it is you were made to do. What desires has he given to you that matter enough to get you up every morning? As you move through your week, let this conversation motivate you to take concrete steps to pursue those desires that put your faith in action.