Romans 12: 18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Well, this is the kicker. As far as it depends on me! I need to watch myself, I need to be the one who is in control of myself, because I certainly cannot control anyone else.
I need to take great care with my words, to use words of Life; encouragement, appreciation. Not words of death; criticism, complaint, condemnation.
My attitudes toward others need to consider what is good and pleasant and desirable in each one, not what I disagree with.
O my Father, help me see others with Your eyes, show me Your image in even those who are running from You and Your ways. Let me perceive the beauty You placed in them in Your likeness. Help me see past the ugliness and harshness and twistedness, to see what You see in them.
Then, Father, let me share Your words with them, Your words of hope, of miraculous comebacks, of Life! And work in their hearts, Father, to draw them to Yourself, to turn them around and give them a brand-new life, as You did for Saul of Tarsis, as You did for me!
You are our God of Miracles! Every time You save someone, it is a miracle of grace! You heal our hearts, our minds, our bodies, when we do things Your way, when we obey what You tell us to do!
Let me not interfere; keep me out of Your way, my Lord God. Just let me do what You would have me do, and step aside to let You do Your thing. Just let me say what You would have me say, and shut up!
Then You will receive all the glory, all the honor, all the credit for everything You do. For it is You Who are doing and working out Your great Plan of the Ages using every individual choice, every personal decision of every man and woman.
As Time marches on, it marches in step with Your timing, Father, to prepare for the culmination of this Age of Man, to march into the Earthly Kingdom of our King of kings and Lord of lords.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
