My peace I leave with you,
     my peace I do give.
Are words taught by Jesus
     on how we should live.
This could be much easier,
     I think you would see.
If all of the people
     with me would agree.
That really won’t happen,
     of that I am sure.
So I better get busy,
     for my pride find a cure.

God made us all different,
     made each one unique.
To understand others
     is what I must seek.
To see how God’s gifted
     and what He will use.
Since I’m not in charge,
     it’s not mine to choose.
Each one has something
     that God’s made their part.
I need to help them
     find out how to start.

As you start looking
     for what others have got.
This may sound quite easy,
     I assure you it’s not!
To think of them higher
     than you do yourself.
But don’t you go thinking
     you’ve been put on the shelf.
You’re gift has great value,
     it’s important to all.
So step out and use it
     as you follow God’s call.

God’s peace will happen
     when we swallow our pride.
When we work together
     for we’re on the same side.
This doesn’t mean
     that we’ll always agree.
But peace will still come
     when your value I see.
As I spend more time
     on what God says to do.
I don’t worry so much
     what He says to you.

I’m not here to judge you
     or over you rule.
Instead I’ll encourage,
     let you know we are cool.
With eyes fixed on Jesus,
     more clearly I see.
Peace comes from heaven,
     for you and for me.
So when our views differ
     and we know we are right.
Let’s pray to our Savior,
     that He’ll fix our sight.

And when He has straightened
     the way that we view.
May peace rest upon me
     and all over you.
And when this peace settles
     on all that we are.
Let’s take what we’ve learned
     and spread it afar.
And as we go boldly
     where no one would go.
I pray that God’s peace
     to others we show.
©

I was spending time with God reflecting on the incredible peace that He has given me within the family of Deer Run. It’s a peace that comes from His Spirit, but also from the great encouragement and sense of value that I receive on a very regular basis from those that surround me. As I reflected on this, God put this poem in my mind for me to collect and share. I pray that it is an encouragement to you in the way you view others who may think and act differently than you do.

In prayer,
Tom