By Bungaran Gultom

A while ago, I went to a coffee shop to buy a drink that was supposed to be on sale. Three men were standing in line behind me. When the cashier smiled and asked, “What would you like to drink, Sir?” I casually placed my order. But when I saw the price on the screen, I was surprised and thought, “Why is it the regular price?” I quietly asked, “Excuse me, is the promo still available?” The cashier smiled and said, “The promo is over, Sir. Now there’s only a free size upgrade.”

I wanted to protest loudly and cancel the purchase! But I stayed silent, not complaining at all. Not out of wisdom, but out of pride. I thought the three men behind me would notice. So, I reluctantly paid the full price for the coffee. In my heart, I cursed myself. Although annoyed, I couldn’t help but laugh when I realized how much my ego influenced my decision that day.

Friedrich Nietzsche, the well-known philosopher, described the primary human drive as the “will to power”—the urge to maintain self-image or exert control in life. We might not notice it, but doesn’t this drive often appear in simple actions, like my choice at the coffee shop? If this drive isn’t guided by an awareness of God, it can easily turn into a harmful force—for oneself and others.

The story of Nabal in 2 Samuel 25 illustrates the dangers of prioritizing self-image. Nabal, a wealthy man with 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats, was known for his foolishness and lack of care, even towards David, who sought his help in a difficult situation. During the sheep-shearing celebration, a significant event that highlighted his wealth and status, Nabal rudely rejected David’s request and belittled their shared heritage as descendants of Judah (see 1 Samuel 25:3; Numbers 13:6; Ruth 4:18-22).

On the other hand, the Bible portrays David as a wise man. However, in this story, David is in a tough situation. He was being pursued by Saul and was trying to avoid a direct confrontation because he respected Saul as God’s chosen king of Israel. Even though David had the opportunity to kill Saul (1 Samuel 24:1-22), he chose not to. David put obedience to God first.

When David’s provisions were running low, he decided to seek help from Nabal during the sheep-shearing festival. Although the specific reason isn’t mentioned, it seems David felt a moral duty as a fellow tribesman. In those times, families relied on each other for safety and support. However, Nabal’s reaction was disappointing. Perhaps because he knew about the conflict between David and Saul, Nabal belittled David and rudely turned him down. He even questioned David’s identity and mocked his request without understanding the real situation.

Nabal said, “Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?” (1 Samuel 25:10-11). Nabal judged David based only on gossip, without trying to find out the truth.

Nabal’s harsh response deeply impacted David, who was already in a vulnerable state. The death of Samuel, the prophet who had been his spiritual support, added to David’s emotional burden. Additionally, his troops’ supplies were dwindling due to Saul’s relentless pursuit. Nabal’s insults and refusal to assist enraged David. In his distress, David even contemplated taking violent revenge against Nabal and his family.

Interestingly, in a situation that almost led to violence, verse 14 suddenly says: “One of the servants told Abigail, Nabal’s wife . . .” The servant’s name isn’t mentioned, but he made a crucial decision at a critical moment. As Winston Churchill once said, “Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision.” With bravery, this servant approached Abigail to warn her about the impending danger if she didn’t act swiftly to calm David’s anger. The first sentence in verse 14 marks a turning point in this story, altering the course of events. The bravery of this unnamed servant helped reduce the tension and enabled Abigail to make a decision that soothed David’s anger.

Taking action during conflict reminds me of the well-known prayer by Francis of Assisi: “Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.” In the story of Nabal and David, love is shown through bravery and understanding. The young man saw the danger coming and, instead of thinking about his own safety, he acted to protect others. This idea is reflected in Jesus as the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6-7), who set aside His ego to save us. That is the love Francis of Assisi meant, a love that can humble the ego. As believers, we are called to set aside our personal agendas and be more aware of others’ needs for salvation.

Being a peacemaker isn’t easy, but it’s something we do together. This is our shared calling, especially for believers who know the truth (cf. Isaiah 32:17; Romans 12:18). In both the Old and New Testaments, being a peacemaker is a group effort. We saw an example in the young man who went to Abigail, urging her to act.

Living in peace isn’t just about avoiding conflict; it’s about actively choosing to put aside our ego and spread love. Like the young man who bravely acted to save others, we are also called to be peacemakers in our daily lives. Jesus not only told us to make peace but also invited us to help change the world. Imagine what the world would be like if we, as God’s people, understood this calling and worked together to bring peace.

As we celebrate Christmas, we should remember to not only receive God’s peace but also share it with others. The real challenge is: Can the peace we receive touch every relationship, fix what is broken, and bring true peace?

Merry Christmas and God bless you!

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