“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18

Some relationships are easy.

Others take work.

There are misunderstandings.
Words said badly.
Things left unsaid.
Old hurts that somehow find their way into new conversations.

And sometimes we long for peace, but we don’t know how to get there.

I love the honesty of Paul’s words:

“As far as it depends on you.”

He doesn’t say that we can fix every relationship.

We can’t.

Peace sometimes requires two people willing to move towards one another, and we cannot make someone else take that step.

But we can look at our own part.

Is there an apology we need to make?

A conversation we have been avoiding?

Something we need to forgive?

A grievance we need to stop carrying around?

Sometimes making peace begins with one small step.

And sometimes the other person won’t take a step towards us.

Then perhaps peace means knowing that we have done what we can and leaving the rest with God.

Carry this today

I cannot control someone else’s response, but I can choose to take my step towards peace.

Prayer

God of peace,
you know the relationships in my life
that are difficult or broken.
Show me where I need to take a step.
Give me courage to apologise,
grace to forgive,
and wisdom to know when I have done what I can.
Amen.