Peace and Conflict

Posted by Eddie Nolan on Oct 18, 2011 in Daily Bread | 1 comment

I was born in Buffalo, New York to a steel worker and a stay at home mom. I am one of seven children. I have three brothers and three sisters. The first five children were born in about five and a half years.

My dad worked two jobs to support his family. We were raised in a lower middle class family. Even though we went through some hard times as a family, the good memories definitely outweigh the bad.

What does this all mean you ask? I will tell you. There were not many dull moments in my house. It also means that I grew up hearing my mom requiring a little peace.

The opposite of peace to me, is conflict. As you can imagine, having that many kids, there was a little bit of conflict in the Nolan abode. This led to my mother asking – okay begging for peace.

Many times I would hear her praying for wisdom. As a young lad (that comes from my Irish heritage) I must admit that I did not fully understand what she was asking for? After all, she was the mom! She had final word on what was to happen in the house. Why would she still need wisdom?

James spends time in the latter part of chapter three comparing “true wisdom” from “false wisdom”. True wisdom can be had only by people who live in active reliance on God. False wisdom comes out of arrogance, envy, jealousy and self ambition.

The expression of true wisdom in the church is presented in the resulting actions listed in verses 17 (But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere) and 18. James wants peace for the church because peace is the context in which righteousness can flourish.

This speaks to the point Alan made a week ago that human anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. It also directly relates to a mother, out of true humility, that knows she cannot rely solely on herself for true wisdom. Instead, she must seek the Lord continuously for direction.

Thanks mom for the example you gave me!