Welcome Update: Peacemaker Workshop
[Warm response from the new class of the 2007 Cultural Practice Camp] 2
When people develop grudges due to injury or misunderstanding, it tears apart their relationships and even causes hatred between families and generations. These pains can only be resolved by the love of the Lord Jesus and the power of resurrection...
As Christians who have been saved by grace and are reconciled to God through the grace of Jesus Christ, we should learn from Jesus’ example and become “peacemakers”. But in fact, many Christians still live in contention, judgment, and resentment. In recent years, in my counseling service, I have deeply understood the needs of others and become more aware of my own shortcomings. I have begun to pray earnestly to God and call on the Holy Spirit for wisdom.
Thank God, He responded to my cry in a wonderful way. He uses the "Kingdom Resources for Christ Association" as a pioneer, to connect all the saints, and to connect many God's people and God's things one by one. The first "Peacemaker Workshop" invited Lynn Pace (pictured left), a lecturer from "Peacemaker Ministries", to speak from her own experience and train Chinese Christians to use biblical principles to deal with interpersonal conflicts. Within just three days of working as an interpreter, I felt a lot:
1. Admit yourself to past mistakes
God’s word is like a beam of true light shining into the darkness, illuminating “specious” thoughts and concepts and breaking down the defenses of worldly reasoning. Many "self-righteous" practices not only fail to resolve conflicts, but make themselves part of the problem. A true messenger of peace must first help people understand their self-worth, learn to see everything from God's eyes, and be completely renewed from the inside out.
2. Take God’s love as the starting point and motivation
Our motivation in speaking and acting is to bring people to God. God knows all human pain and sorrow; only those who have been hurt have the right to forgive those who hurt them. We must love those who are heartbroken with the love of God, without any regrets, and constantly, and become a friend worthy of their trust, so that we can accompany them through this difficult journey.
3. Use God’s wisdom as the guideline for action
Reconciliation is not a matter of wishful thinking. We need to pray, cry out to the Holy Spirit for revelation, and ask God for wisdom, strategies, and the most appropriate timing. The Slippery Slope chart tells us that only when people choose to step out of "denial" and give up "revenge" can they seek help, resolve conflicts, and restore harmony.
▲Translated by Hu Guoying.
In the faithful prayers of many people at "Kingdom Resources", the Holy Spirit worked miraculously to unite this group of people with different cultures, languages, and races because of an instance of "family conflict." We see ourselves in the painful experiences of others, gain hope from studying God’s words, gain enlightenment from frank discussions with the class, and gain confidence from the role-playing of teachers and classmates. It turns out that it is not difficult to imitate Jesus. Each of us can become a peacemaker who makes peace. The beauty of the unity of the saints’ communion transcends cultural barriers and provides a beautiful ending to this camp.
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Conflict is an opportunity to glorify God!
* Chen Fumei─Come empty and go back full; I came three days ago with many questions, and three days later I left with all the answers, as relaxed as an angel. From the "Frog/Horse" picture, we can learn that any encounter will have different results when viewed from different angles. Never take it out of context and jump to conclusions; everything should start and end with the love of the Lord Jesus. "Peace Messengers" should start from themselves, and then extend outward, determined to work for a more peaceful family, society, country, and the world!
＊Yang Jingya─The peacemaking church is God’s will. In the class, I learned how to use God’s precious words to get through difficult moments with brothers or sisters who are in conflict, go to the cross calmly, receive God’s grace again, and enjoy God’s great love again. Glorify God's name through reconciliation. Every conflict is an opportunity to glorify God. The inspiration of the Holy Spirit will definitely create an opportunity for us to be reconciled with God, with others, and with ourselves!
* Chen Lin Miaoying─I came to this camp with the mentality of learning "cool tricks" to solve other people's problems. But after participating, I realized that the "jungle" in my own eyes (not just a beam) is what needs to be removed the most! Once again, I affirm that Jesus Christ is the answer to all problems and our model for how to solve them. The two teachers are very humble. Their own testimony of conflict resolution made me feel that they really practice it!