Peace #2—Imitative Peace

Take note of the one who has integrity! Observe the upright! For the person characterized by peace has a future. Sinful rebels will be totally destroyed; evil people have no future. Psalm 37:37–38

See one, do one, teach one. Or, as my four year old nephew said to his two year old brother, “Watch this …” The process of parenting in a nutshell. The process of discipleship as well. We become what we imitate. With our children we try to be good examples, so we don’t have to say later, “Do what Daddy says, not what he does.” As adults we have a choice concerning whom we imitate. If we’re wise, we’ll avoid accumulating traits we’ll later regret. We’ll be careful not to pay attention to those who will not enjoy a happy future. Who should we watch? Who should we imitate? People of integrity, rather than rebels; people who align themselves with God’s good purposes for creation, rather than those whose evil ways distance themselves from him. Why pay attention to these people? Because their lives are characterized by peace. Not only are they not in conflict with the Creator and Ruler of the universe, God, who is completely aligned with his own wise purposes, is joyfully and actively engaged on their behalf. So these people are not anxious about their eternal future, nor are they in conflict with their neighbors over temporal trivia. They are experiencing the happiness of becoming children of God as they imitate his peacemaking example.

O God of peace, be with me as I practice the things I have learned and received and heard and seen in other godly people.