Bible Passage: “From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace.” (Jeremiah 6:13-14 NIV)
Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 6:9-15
Life is full of tension. There is conflict around every corner. Lurking in every relationship, crouched and waiting in every interaction, is the potential for misunderstanding, the reality of broken lives in a broken world. Desires are twisted, pursuits are out of balance, relationships are smothered by selfishness, and priorities are misaligned.
As we encounter life’s difficulties, it is tempting to simply manage these difficulties rather than try to resolve them.
The easy road is inviting because it is simply that: easy. It asks less of us, allows us to breathe easier, and leaves us in undisturbed comfort.
This is the approach the priests and false prophets of Jeremiah’s day took.
They proclaimed peace when no peace was to be found. Their desire not to address the very real issues of their time didn’t just allow them to stay comfortable; it hid the truth from those who needed to face it.
They avoided the hard work of conflict resolution and opted for the easier road of conflict management.
This road still beckons men today. It offers ease and comfort, but not growth. It hides the best from others for the sake of a false peace. As husbands, fathers, elders, friends, leaders of any sort, we face the challenge of offering healing rather than band-aids.
Do we allow the difficult conversation with our children to redirect into humor? Is the pattern in our marriage dismissed as “just how we are”? Does the tension at the office caused by relational disregard get filed under “just being realistic”?
This is the easy road. The smooth path of least resistance allows us to coast on the least effort expended.
But as Jesus said, this path leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).
It hides the truth from those who need to hear it. It announces peace when peace cannot be found. It makes us not leaders, but deceivers.
The rough road of resolution requires resilience and renewed effort. But the view from its destination is worth the effort.
Men cannot be passive in our leadership. The good life, for us and those within our sphere, rises only with determination and discipline.
Prayer: God, the simple path is inviting, and I confess that at times I have taken it. Help me understand the real results of taking this path and give me the determination to choose the harder path of resolution rather than management. Amen.
Reflection: Are there any situations in your life where you are perhaps declaring “peace” where there is no peace? What does the harder but better path look like in this case?
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