Dawn Truce
What position are you in the birth order in your family? Do you feel like that helps you define the type of person that you are? Not surprisingly, middle children tend to be the peacemakers of a family. I fall into that category, and I would choose peace over conflict any day of the year. It’s an elusive sentiment in our global world today, and our nation certainly does not adequately instill the value and practice of this quality in its citizens either.
In Liturgy of the Ordinary, Tish Harrison Warren describes her four year old daughter’s participation in their church’s passing the peace part of the worship service as “being trained as a peacemaker” (79). As a friend of theirs pointed out, “She is practicing the truth that the extension of peace is vital to worship, that worshiping God is inextricably tied with seeking God’s kingdom of shalom by making peace with her neighbors” (79).
What a powerful and beautiful picture of the responsibility that we all bear! When our children hear us criticize our fellow worshippers or articulate resentments that we have against people across the church from us, unfortunately we are teaching them something with those behaviors too.
Image from The Wild Robot / DreamWorks Animation
If you’ve seen the movie or read the children’s book called The Wild Robot, you will recognize the term “dawn truce” - it’s a set aside time where the animals of the island have agreed not to hurt or hunt one another but to co-exist in community and a time of peacefulness. When we are constantly at one another’s throats or waiting to pounce upon someone for his or her misguided ideas, we are acting precisely as those idioms suggest: beastlike!
Image from The Wild Robot / DreamWorks Animation
Instead, let us appeal to the better part of our nature and try to follow what Scripture tells us. Paul commands us,
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)
Image from The Wild Robot / DreamWorks Animation
So as a middle child, what would I recommend practically speaking to the world to bring about more peace and less conflict?
1) Listen more. Talk less.
2) Strive to have an empathetic attitude - Ask yourself “How would I feel if I were in this person’s place?”
3) Approach a conversation with a goal of wanting to gain understanding and not so much about defending your position or preference.
4) Take long deep breaths frequently and exhale slowly as needed. Do your best to engage from a place of rest and contentment within yourself.
5) Listen with not only your ears but also your heart. Listen not only for what is said but what is implied or left unsaid.
With some of these suggestions in the forefront of your mind, make a move today to “be the change you wish to see in the world”.
Not surprisingly, this quote is attributed to Gandhi (although that is debated) - it certainly reflects his life philosophy even if he never actually uttered it. “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me” (from a song written by husband and wife duo Sy and Jill Jackson-Miller) also reflects this idea of spreading peace starting from a place within ourselves. May we try to make these pieces of wisdom our approach too.
