As the war in Vietnam raged on in 1971, Cat Stevens released a song calling for the world to Get on The Peace Train. Stevens said he wrote the song because “There is a powerful need for people to feel that gust of hope rises up again.”
Peace Train is just one of many songs that were recorded in those days calling for peace. If only we all got on the peace train, the world would be a better place. I’m not sure what getting on the peace train really means but as I am looking around I’d say most people never got a ticket to that train.
The sad truth is, we will not experience global peace in a world populated by fallen, sinful man.
Perhaps that is why some 44-years later in 2015 Reba McIntyre released her song, Pray for Peace. Reba realized that apart from God there is no peace. She called on people to pray for peace for our families, for each other, for our leaders, and for the world.
We can and should seek and pursue peace (1 Peter 3:10-11). However, the only real peace we have in this world is the peace that comes from Jesus (John 14:27).
Christians, we are called to seek and pursue peace in all aspects of our lives, and that includes our workplaces. As we learned last month in our “Joy” article, 67% of workers are unhappy. Unhappy workers are not peaceful workers. Rather, they are prone to conflict.
Conflict in the Workplace
The environment in many of our workplaces is downright toxic. They are fraught with conflict. The result of unresolved conflict includes decreased productivity, absenteeism, turnover, and termination.
A study from Georgetown University found that 62% of employees experienced some level of workplace conflict. That number is more than double what it was 20-years ago.
It seems that even the folks that got on the peace train got off a few stops ago!
As a society, we are angrier and more prone to division and conflict than ever.
The Workplace Solution
According to author Lynette Reed, fostering a culture of peace will create an environment that reduces conflict, increases stability, and maintains inclusiveness.
Sounds good, right? But, speaking practically, how do we create a culture of peace?
It starts with us! You and me. If we reflect the peace of Jesus in our workplaces, we can fundamentally change workplace culture.
We are called to seek and pursue peace, with the goal of obtaining and reflecting peace in our workplaces.
Seek Peace
To seek means we actively look for or have a desire to obtain something. In other words, we look for and have a desire to obtain peace. Peace doesn’t just wander up and wag its tail at us like a cute puppy! We must look for peace. We must desire peace.
Pursue Peace
Next, we must pursue peace. To pursue means to proceed along a path, or to engage in the course of action. We must be intentional in our pursuit of peace. Peace does not come upon us by accident. It is something we must pursue purposefully.
Obtain Peace
As Christians, we are commanded to seek and pursue peace. Jesus told us the peace we desire comes from Him, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27).
Reflect Peace
Elvis was right; in His song, Peace in the Valley, he sang we will only have peace in the valley with God. We will not experience perfect peace on this side of heaven. However, as Christians, our call is to reflect the peace of Jesus into every aspect of our lives, including our workplaces.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can seek, pursue, obtain, and reflect the peace of God in our lives
We can change our workplaces from places of conflict to places of peace. It starts with you and me.
My Super-Secret Plan Series
The “Peace” Aspect of My Super-Secret Plan” is the fourth in a series examining how Christians can integrate our faith in the workplace.
No one can stop us from integrating our faith in the workplace by exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
You can read the kick-off article in the series here, the article on Love here, and the article on Joy here. Next up in May we’ll look at integrating patience as a fruit of the Spirit into the workplace.
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. How have you integrated peace as a fruit of the Spirit into your workplace?
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Category: Skills |Empowerment
