Rev. Derrick Elliott
Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott, Pastor, Sun Lakes United Church of Christ
Our world feels heavy right now; I am saying nothing new. Political conversations are tense, friendships have been strained, and the news seems filled with anger and fear. Maybe you have felt it, too. I know you feel the tension in the air, because I know I have. The feeling that everyone’s on edge. In moments like these, I find myself drawn again to the teachings of Jesus, not as a political statement, but as a reminder of how we, Christians, are called to live with one another.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9, NRSVUE). Those words stop me in my tracks. They invite me to breathe, slow down, and remember that making peace is not weakness. It takes courage to stay calm when voices around us rise in anger. It takes strength to choose kindness when it feels easier to shut down or lash out.
Following Jesus’ teachings in today’s climate isn’t about ignoring our differences or pretending everything is fine. It’s about keeping our hearts soft when the world grows hard. It’s about praying for leaders we agree with and those we don’t. It’s choosing words that heal instead of hurt. It’s building bridges, even when walls feel easier to raise.
Jesus never promised that this way of living would be easy, but He promised it would matter. Every act of grace, every moment of mercy, every time we speak truth with love, we shine a little more of God’s light into a divided world.
Imagine what could happen if more of us took those words to heart. Streets would be quieter, not because everyone thinks the same, but because listening would replace shouting. Families would gather around dinner tables again, not afraid of hard conversations but ready to meet one another with patience. Neighbors would step in to help rather than turn away in judgment. Churches would be known not for their stances on issues but for how they love like Christ loved: freely, fully, and without conditions.
This is not a dream too far away—it begins in moments, in small choices, in us. And maybe that’s precisely what someone near us is waiting to see: a glimpse of God’s kingdom breaking through in the way we live, love, and make peace.