It is Well with My Soul

 Matthew 5: 7, 9:  Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

You may not know the story behind this hymn, "It Is Well With My Soul", but it is worth hearing.  Horatio Spafford was a successful Chicago businessman and devout Christian who lost much of his fortune in the great economic downturn of the 1870s.  He was wrapping up some business deals, so he sent his wife and 4 daughters on ahead of him for a much-needed vacation in England. On November 22, 1873, while crossing the Atlantic on the steamship Ville du Havre, their ship was struck by an iron sailing vessel and 226 people lost their lives, including all four of Spafford's daughters.

His wife, Anna, miraculously survived, and was heard telling a fellow passenger that "God gave me four daughters.  Now they have been taken away from me. Someday I will understand why."  

Horatio dropped everything and took the next ship to England to be with his wife.  As they sailed across the Atlantic, a crew member pointed out where the Ville du Havre sank.  In the midst of his grief he wrote this hymn which we still sing today.  As you listen to the words, think about how Jesus tells us that the peacemakers will be called children of God.  

Peace doesn't mean absence of conflict for the Christian.  Peace is an active decision that says, yes, Lord, I will give my life, my heart, my soul to you, no matter the cost.

Jesus modeled active peace-making.  What are opportunities for you to be a peacemaker?  Is there someone in your office who needs a listening ear?  Is there a volunteer opportunity at church that needs your expertise, your time?  How can we be peacemakers in the model of our Lord?  How can we work for justice in a way that honors him?  How can we be peacemakers who show mercy, not outrage, anger, or cynicism?  

Take a few minutes, and let the words of this song flow over you, as you seek God's peace: 

Lord, I look forward to meeting Horatio and Anna Spafford in heaven one day.  Thank you for this hymn, and for the solid assurance that you bless the peacemakers, and that you long for me to become a peacemaker.  Amen.