By Rev. Eric Strachan

Copyright pembrokeobserver

How can you and I change this world we live in? Let me respond to that question by saying that God desires to change the world and create a global community where people love one another. The question is, how can that ever happen? The answer is simple … it starts with you, that’s right – you! It starts when you determine in your heart that you want to have a great love for God, and that you so desire to love everyone who crosses your path on any given day.

Listen to Jesus’ words in Matthew’s gospel, chapter 22:37-39. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest command. And the second is like it, you shall love your neighbour as you love yourself.”

Let me be more personal today as you read these words, by asking you this. Do you love your spouse? Do you love your children whether they are at home or away from home? In your larger family circle do you love your brothers and sisters, your aunts and uncles, your nephews and nieces, your in-laws, and others? Many years ago I found myself in a church where once or twice a year we would wash each other’s feet, following the example of Jesus Christ. The men would go downstairs in the church and the women would stay upstairs. I remember on one occasion saying to a gentleman whom I knew had a conflict with another congregational member, “Are you going to wash his feet today?” His answer was blunt, emphatic and forceful. “Wash his feet? For sure I’ll wash them. Then I’ll dry them with steel wool”

It was Jesus who said in the classic Sermon On The Mount, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.” (The Bible, Matthew 5:9) In closing, let me challenge you today. Be a peacemaker! Live at peace with all within your family circle. And go beyond that. Live at peace with all within your neighbourhood and beyond! That’s where global peace begins!