Peace Dove
Canvas: 30” x 48”
Date: November 8th, 2020
Time: Live outdoors for 3 hours (completed afterward)
Cost: $700
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. —Matthew 5:9
My friend, Doug Glynn, delivered a message on being peacemakers: an active role—neither passive nor aggressive—which is the responsibility of all followers of Jesus. Doug told the story of members of Hope Covenant giving out water bottles on election day with a sign reading “Peacemakers” and how a poll watcher approached them and said, “I’m an atheist and I f*%#ing hate Christians, but I’ve been watching you guys, and you’re different. You’ve given me something to think about.” Doug asked everyone to actively reach out and make peace in relationships damaged by disagreement. Doug asked those who voted for Trump to be clear headed, and for those who voted for Biden to be humble.
On the patio outside Hope Covenant that Sunday morning, an image came to my mind of Biden and Trump, in response to the work of faithful peacemakers, looking and pointing to the sky as an acknowledgement of JESUS’ victory. But, it actually represents any two believers in conflict with each other over anything—it could be politics, differences in theology, or the style of music during services. Jesus said to his disciples just before surrendering his life on the cross, “Now love each other as I have loved you.” Then he prayed, “…that they all may be one, as you, Father, are in me, and I in you; that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.” John 17:21 NKJV
Just as Jesus while on Earth allowed the Spirit to make peace between God and humankind through his blood sacrifice. It is our acceptance of this astonishing victory of ONE-ness with Jesus ("...Christ is all and in all." Col. 3:11) that releases the Jesus-urge to sacrifice. Sacrifice builds trust. A community of trust shines bright, pointing everyone–even our leaders–to the Peace Dove.