Living in Colombia, one of my favourite things was feeling like I had the superpower to make people talk to me as I walked down the street.

It sounds like a cliché, but I always forget that Jesus’ resurrection from the dead was a surprise.

Yet, as we call for disarmament in the Middle East, I’m pondering how to disarm my response to my fellow Canadians. These neighbours are also deeply impacted by what they are seeing on the news or, also like me, may know friends or family members in the midst of the conflict.

Every time I turn on my phone, I am bombarded with messages of devastation. Climate crisis! Housing and inflation! Protests! Polarization! How can we address these challenges if we never stop to examine what is still good and to rejoice in it? To find our moments by the creek and live out the goodness we want to grow into the future? To remember what we love about our family, friends and communities?

We all see the world in a slightly different and unique way. I needed Colourful Pants Day to see my city differently. Saul needed Ananias to help transform his vision and lead him into his new faith.

In fact, how can we ever expect to see an entire picture on our own? Each of us has a unique perspective, based on our culture, family and experiences. Like Saul, we might have the best intentions. But it often takes other people to help us see the impact of our actions and a different way forward.

I’ve come to see that peace is a way of moving and being as a physical person in the world, rather than a feeling or a major accomplishment. The paradox is, that this way of connecting with our bodies, as temples, can also help pave the way for those feelings and big activities as well.

Rather than being abstract, peace is sensational!

Peacebuilding is a way of honouring the dignity of other people involved.  It meant choosing a “third way” of coming to the table with creativity, rather than being either violent or passive. Taking that approach meant choosing to always see the other party as human, capable of change, and bearing the image of God, just like me. 

Discover the transformative power of following Jesus in a world that seems impossible to navigate. Embrace living in the present moment, sharing meals, forgiveness, love for enemies, and the expectation of abundance. As resurrection people, we show up, ask questions, and find glimpses of resurrection in ordinary yet extraordinary ways. Letting go and showing up lead to new paths that change everything.

Explore the profound significance of the film Women Talking, as it captures the realities faced by numerous communities confronting the aftermath of unimaginable violence. Dive into an in-depth article discussing the film and delve further into the work of Peacebuilding with MCC.