38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic,[a] let him have your cloak as well. (Matthew 5:38-40 ESV)
This may be one of the more difficult scriptures for me. Turning the other cheek has not been something that comes easy. I am a stand and fight kinda guy. So I have had to adapt to work to meet this scriptural command. I have tried to find ways to diffuse a situation before it came anywhere near physical. Furthermore, I have made it a practice to be a peacemaker when times called for it. To be honest, doing so makes for a more peaceful life in general.
There are those who simply live for confrontation and there are those who run from it. To live a life of faith I think we need to do neither. We stand strong but do so in a manner that seeks to collaborate and calm others. We need not be a part of the confrontation, but we can be a seeker of peaceful interaction.
Now, I still am not too keen on turning the other cheek. However, looking for the path of peace will typically mean that no cheek need be turned to begin with.
Seek peace.
