How to Make a Difference—One Peace at a Time
By Louise Stanton, Pastor, Speaker, Mentor, Friend
Have you ever stood still in a moment that begged you to act—and walked away? I have. And I wish I could go back.
Last year, I watched as police and ambulances swarmed a neighbor’s house early one morning. I whispered a prayer, got my kids on the bus, and went about my day. I felt the tug to do something—drop off a meal, bring flowers, show them they mattered—but instead, I listened to another neighbor who told me to stay out of it. I did nothing. It’s still one of my greatest regrets.
Jesus told his disciples that the most important things we would do would be to love God and to love our neighbors (Matthew 22:37-40). Jesus invites us to a new way of neighboring—a way that doesn’t settle for indifference or swing to aggression, but instead follows the path of the peaceful warrior.
In Ephesians 4:25-32, Paul calls the church to walk away from the old way of life—the Ephesian way that celebrated lying, bitterness, greed, and anger—and step into a new way: the way of Jesus, the way of love, compassion, and peace. In a culture that glorified power and self-interest, Paul’s words were radical. He was inviting believers to be different right where they lived—to bring the Kingdom of God to their neighborhoods.
The Lies That Keep Us from Neighboring Well:
Our modern culture isn’t so different. We’re busy, distracted, and often tempted to believe lies
like:
1. Things will settle down someday.
2. More will finally be enough.
3. Everybody lives this way.
But Jesus shows us another way. His life was full, but never rushed. He was present to the people around Him—the outcasts, the sick, the lonely. He didn’t just pass by their stories; He entered them. He lived as a peaceful warrior, bringing restoration and peace wherever He went.
This is the invitation for us: to lay down the old tools of busyness, apathy, and self-protection and follow the ways of Jesus through kindness, patience, and presence. Peaceful warriors do not shrink back in fear, but live with courage, intentionality, and love.
Being a peaceful warrior where you live might look like caring for a sick neighbor, being nosey enough to offer help, resolving conflicts with grace, or throwing pancake breakfasts and bonfire nights. It’s often simple. It’s always sacrificial. It means showing up. It means being interruptible. We don’t need to move houses to become new neighbors. God empowers us to be peaceful warriors right where we are. As followers of Jesus, we carry His presence into our streets, our apartment buildings, and our everyday moments.
Next time an opportunity comes to love my neighbor, I won’t hesitate. I’m ready. Ready to partner with Jesus and the Holy Spirit to bring peace to my neighborhood.
How about you? Are you ready to be a peaceful warrior?
The world doesn’t need more bystanders—it needs peaceful warriors. Will you be one?
Blessed are the peacemakers—for they will be called children of God. Let’s go, warriors.
