HAPPY MONDAY!
Several converging thoughts got me thinking about today’s word-of-the-week…
BEING
Social justice seems to be the thing these days. Lots of folks talk about it, write about it, and give money to it. Some are even trying to actually do something about it.
This newfound focus on justice ignites emotion and passion, but honestly, something about the whole thing seems uncomfortable to me. I find myself wondering about ways to harness and direct all the passion and idealism into intentional, meaningful action.
Last week I read an article by Katie Bergman in Relevant Magazine. Bergman made a suggestion that reminded me of a timeless principle.
“It’s time to move past talking about justice, even past doing justice, to being justice…Instead of just being something we talk about or a job we have, justice should be a lifestyle we live; not a thing we do, but a person we are.”
Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
In other words, if we wish to change the world, we must begin by changing ourselves. We can’t see others as victims or problems to be solved. Justice must be a shared quest, a path we walk together.
And I have no idea how that works.
The problem, of course, is that the only way to change is, well, to change, and most of us would rather let someone else do the changing.
I know God’s heart for justice, but my life’s pretty comfortable. If I take justice seriously, I’d have to surrender control and security.
I told you it felt uncomfortable.
It’s Monday. Are you and I willing to be the change we wish to see?
Have a great week!
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