Peacekeepers protect the status quo. They defend established powers. They side with abusers. They blame victims.

Peacemakers challenge the status quo. They defy established powers. They stand up against abusers. They empower and protect victims.

Peacekeepers hide in consent and compliance, regardless of whether the system they protect is just or not. They do not rock the boat. They seek to silence and suppress any who do rock the boat because the boat represents their sense of connection to peace. They care first about their peace, and often do not consider or value the peace of society at large.

Peacemakers refuse consent and compliance with unjust systems. They will rock the boat when that action is necessary. They understand that a system is not their source of peace or security. Connections between human beings are the source of genuine peace. The well being of everyone is the nature of genuine peace. Peacemakers are willing to sacrifice their own peace and hornlock with the forces of chaos and injustice to obtain the ultimate goal of making peace where peace does not presently exist.

Peacekeepers say, “Peace! Peace!” When there is no peace.

Peacemakers do not lie about what peace is or what peace should be, or who has the right to have peace at the expense of others.

Peacemakers make peace when there is no peace. They do not ask. They insist.

Jesus of Nazareth wasn’t a peacekeeper. He was a peacemaker. He didn’t say, “blessed are the peacekeepers”. He said, “blessed are the peacemakers”.

Two different words. Two different motives. Two different goals.

The world needs more peacemakers and less peacekeepers. Thankfully people have the ability to change their minds, to change their ways, and to abandon peacekeeping to become peacemakers. The question is whether or not you are up to the challenge.