Growing up, my mom would occasionally remind me of at least two important qualities of good posture. First were the physical benefits, like reducing aches and pains in your back and neck as you age. Second, it communicated a quiet, implicit confidence to all those around you. “Stand tall and proud,” she’d say.
In a similar way, posture matters in peacemaking. Not so much from a physical standpoint, but from what it communicates about how we approach others and the situations we face. In particular, Christians should cultivate a perpetual posture of hope. A conviction that because of the gospel, no person is beyond God’s ability to transform, no relationship is beyond His power to redeem, and no act of faithfulness is ever wasted.
We have hope for conversations because we trust in God more than our own persuasive abilities. Col. 4:6 states, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” We never know what God may be doing through a gracious conversation.
We have hope for relationships because the God who reconciled us to Himself is also able to reconcile us to one another. (Eph. 2:11-22)
We have hope for people because we know God changes hearts (Acts 9). “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ez. 36:26)
We have hope because of the cross. Through Christ, God was “making peace by the blood of His cross” (Col. 1:20). His gracious sacrifice is ultimately why hope is possible.
Just as good physical posture communicates something about us before we ever speak, a perpetual posture of hope communicates something about the God we serve. We stand with hope because we stand in the shadow of the cross. The cross reminds us that reconciliation is not wishful thinking. It is the very heart of the gospel.
Brandon serves as the Matthew 5:9 Program Director. He views the pursuit of unity as an integral part of his life. For years, he has spoken to diverse groups around the country on various topics, which are often inherently divisive, seeking to bring clarity, compassion, and peace to these conversations. Ultimately, Brandon has sought to engage cultural questions and concerns within the context of Christian hope.
Brandon served as co-chapter director for the Wayne State Ratio Christi chapter. He served on the Stephen Ministry leadership team at Kensington Community Church and occasionally serves alongside Inner City Detroit Cru and Serve the City-Detroit.
Brandon graduated from Michigan State University with a major in Journalism and a minor in Sociology. He completed a Master’s in Christian Apologetics from Biola University and a Master’s of Divinity in Interdisciplinary Studies through Moody Theological Seminary.
Brandon enjoys playing various sports, reading, and writing, but mostly spending time with his three sons, daughter, and his wonderful wife.
