There are so many articles and discussions out there involving the sadness that grips some of us over the holidays with a need for reconciliation.

We hear about loneliness and darkness that follows some instead of joy and light. Hope is lacking and grief fills the holes.

Some may suggest that a lot of this is caused by a lack of reconciliation between people. We may find ourselves on one end of the phone line waiting for a lost loved one to humble themselves in apology. We may find ourselves with pen in hand trying to create the warm wishes that we want to feel but instead find that our words lack love and understanding.

People long for peace between friends and hope among family, but egos, arguments and hurts fill those spots instead. We feel a cause to point fingers and bah-humbug at the choice to create a unity in celebration because one is right, and others are wrong.

When we think of these things, I wonder if this is the peace that the Lord speaks about. Are we to reconcile with our family to bring joy back in or are we called to something different?

The Lord’s peace is beyond our understanding so therefore it should be beyond an apology. We can love people all day long, pray for them, want change for them, seek to humble ourselves so we can understand them, but God also speaks of a line that may be drawn at some point. Where is the line and at what point do we walk away?

1 Corinthians 15:33 says that bad company ruins good morals.  

I have seen people suck up the gossip, scoffing, and questioning in order to keep the peace over holidays, only to fall into the cycle of disagreement for 364 other days of the year.

God offers us reconciliation with Him through Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:19-20  For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

I struggle with understanding if we should at some point reconcile that God has given us the peace that we need and it’s time to walk away from others.

It’s that saying: if you love something, set it free and if it’s meant to be it will come back. This may be true, especially if it’s the Lord’s will.  I believe that the Lord also shows us that at some point we have done as much as we can and it’s time to move on.  It’s time to give it up to Him.

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But with all of this said and my opinion being thrown all over the place, I want reconciliation with loved ones. I want them to embrace God’s saving grace. I want to them to walk with Jesus. I want them in eternity with me. I need to be an example of light, love and grace through reconciliation. That doesn’t mean I let myself get beat up for it. As much as we all understand that there is a time to break things off, I will still reach as far as I can until God puts up an obvious boundary that should not be crossed.

In the meantime, I will pray and keep the candle of hope burning for those I want a relationship with.  Even more so, I will pray for them to have a relationship with Jesus.

Here are some verses that I hope will encourage you to seek reconciliation first with Jesus and then with your family and friends this Christmas season.

Reconciliation with God:

John 3:16-17 ESV 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Romans 5:10 ESV 

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

2 Corinthians 5:18 ESV

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation

Ephesians 2:13 ESV 

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

1 John 3:3 ESV 

And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

 

Reconciliation with Others:

Luke 17:3 ESV 

Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.

Romans 12:14-21 ESV 

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 ESV 

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Colossians 3:13 ESV 

Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

1 Peter 4:8 ESV 

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.