pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: injustice


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Leaving Trails

Reading: Psalm 23:4-6

Psalm 23:6a – “Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life.”

Photo credit: Christopher Beloch

Returning to Psalm 23 today, we delve into verses 4-6. In verse 4 we are reminded that the good shepherd of verses 1-3 is also with us in the “darkest valleys” of life. The darkest valleys are many: addiction, depression, death, grief, divorce, forced relocation, loss of employment, friendship, and security, illness, disease, homelessness, poverty, injustice, oppression. These dark valleys are situations and circumstances that we would rather avoid than go through. We’ll try and go around them. We’ll try and pretend that they are not really there. Faced with the reality of the dark valley, we’ll try everything in our power to get through or to climb out. And then, when there’s nothing else to try, we’ll turn to God. Surrendering our fear, loneliness, anxiety… to God, we feel a power and presence that walks with us. We’re not airlifted out of the valley, but God is with us, giving us hope, comfort, peace, strength… in the darkest valleys.

As we experience God’s presence again and again, we trust more and more into our relationship with God. Even when “enemies” – those listed above and more -are right in front of us, we feel safe and blessed by God’s presence. We are not alone. We can declare as David declares, “Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life.” Aware of God in deeper and more trusting ways, we come to see that God doesn’t just show up when we really need God. No, God pursues us. All of the time. God fills us with goodness and faithful love – so much so that these blessings overflow out of us, leaving trails of goodness and love behind us as we live as light and love in the world. In this way, God’s goodness and faithful love fill other’s cups too, bringing God’s power and presence into their lives. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your goodness, love, and mercy that draws us to your heart, to your family, and to our place in your house. Draw us into your power and presence again and again, empowering us to truly walk with you all of our days. Walking closely, Lord, use us to be goodness and love in the world, inviting others into your power and presence. Amen.


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Healing Brokenness

Reading: John 9:1-17

John 9:2 – “Rabbi, who sinned so that he was born blind, this man or his parents?”

Photo credit: Kelly Sikkema

Today’s gospel reading begins with an important question and an even more important answer. The disciples ask Jesus about the root causes of a man’s blindness. It is a question wrapped in that culture’s understanding of disease and illness. Because medicine had not yet provided explanations for blindness, skin disease… the assumption was that sin or some other brokenness in the community caused the illness, disease, plague… To be healed or cured was to be restored to community or for the community to return to wholeness.

In answer to their question, Jesus responds that neither the man nor his parents sinned. It was not a grandparent or great grandparent either. The blindness (and its healing) are an opportunity for “God’s mighty works” to be displayed. Being light to the world and to this particular man, Jesus makes some mud, puts it on the man’s eyes, and sends him to wash in the pool of Siloam (which means “sent.”) The man is healed – he can see. There is some disagreement over the healing. There is concern over when the healing happened. We delve into all of this tomorrow as we press on in John 9.

But today, within the context of the community’s wholeness, we wrestle with the brokenness of our world today. In a world that produces enough food to feed itself many times over, why do many go hungry? What sins cause this? In a nation with the best possible medical care, why do many go untreated? What sin causes this? In a place where there are abundant resources and space, why do we refuse to welcome some in? What sins cause this?

Prayer: Lord God, heal our hearts, heal our nation, heal our world. The sins of some cause many to suffer or to live in scarcity. The desire for the pleasures and riches of this world lead some to turn their backs on the sufferings and injustices of our time. Our own sins of omission result in silence and inaction, allowing evil and darkness to reign. Lord, pour your healing love into our hearts. Use us to engage in healing the brokenness of our world, of our communities, and of our lives. Amen.


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Hope Grows

Reading: Romans 5:1-5

Romans 5:1b – “We have peace with our God through Jesus Christ.”

In this world of trial and trouble and suffering, we have one in Christ who died for us and walks in Spirit with us every moment. The presence of God in Spirit is something we definitely need. Our world and our nation and often our lives feel full of violence and war, oppression and injustice. While it feels now and then that the evil has left us, our present reality is that it will return in another city, another policy, another scandal, another country, another injustice. Prayers for peace are crescendoing right now.

In Romans 5, Paul declares that because of Jesus’ faithfulness, “We have peace with our God through Jesus Christ.” Because of his sacrifice, Jesus opened the way for us to freely experience grace again and again, reconciling us to God, bringing peace back to that relationship. From this place of peace with God, we can face the “troubles” of this life. Paul states that we can “even take pride” in our problems. In fact, we can rejoice in trials, knowing that our faith is being refined and strengthened. Enduring in faith, God develops our righteous character. This character guides how we interact with, treat, and respond to others in our trials. We are aided and encouraged by the Spirit that has been “poured out in our hearts.” This righteous character and empowering by the Holy Spirit also enables us to walk with others in their troubles, building community.

Enduring faithfully, developing a righteous character, we find that hope blooms. As our steadfast God remains ever present, leading and guiding us by the Holy Spirit, we come to understand our troubles for what they are: temporary. They are confined to this world. Our true home is not in this world. As our companion walks with us, hope grows – for peace in this world and for joy in the life to come. May both be so for you, for me, for us all.

Prayer: Lord God, when the troubles and trials of this life ramp up, may your powerful Holy Spirit guide and lead us faithfully through. Fill us with strength and hope, trust and peace. Relying not on self, draw us deeper and deeper into faith in you. Amen.


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Being and Doing

Reading: Matthew 5:13-16

Matthew 5:13… 14 – “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.”

Returning to the Sermon on the Mount today and tomorrow, Jesus declares first that we are salt and light for the world. We begin with a question: Is Jesus talking about our being or about how we are to act in the world? Are we light or are we to be light?

As there should be a connection between our being and doing, the answer is “both.” We are salt and light. Our faith flavors all aspects of our life. Our faith is the light that guides us to walk as Christ calls us to walk. Our salt and light are not just for our benefit, though. We are to act and be in the world in ways that flavor or season the world around us. Just as salt makes food taste better, so too should our faith make the world a better place. In the same way, the light of Christ that is within us should shine out into the world, helping others to see the way that they too are called to be and to walk in the world.

We are also reminded today of what happens when we do not live our faith out in the world. People get trampled under foot. People get lost in the darkness of this world. These things should not be so. Instead, may we let our faith be known, seen, and tasted, so that people “can see the good things you do and praise your father who is in heaven.”

Prayer: Lord God, be present in us, flavoring our lives with your love, grace, mercy, peace, joy, compassion, hope… Let your light shine upon injustice, oppression, marginalization, violence, addiction… moving our hands and feet into action against the darkness of our world. Use our actions and words, O Lord, to do and to bring good into the world. Amen.


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Mender and Restorer

Reading: Isaiah 58:9b-12

Isaiah 58:12c – “You will be called Mender of Broken Walls and Restorer of Liveable Streets.”

Continuing in Isaiah 58 today, we find some conditional statements: “If you…” These are not givens. They are choices. These are choices that the people of God need to make every day. If you remove the yoke of oppression and injustice… If you stop the finger-pointing, the name-calling, the blame shifting, the spin cycling… If you “open your heart to the hungry,” to the naked, to the lonely, to the abused… If you “provide abundantly” for the afflicted, the abused, the imprisoned, the lonely… “If you…”

If you choose to do all of these things, then “your light will shine in the darkness.” If you choose to do all of these things, then God will “guide you continually and provide for you in parched places.” If you live as God calls you to live all of the time, then the world will change. We cannot live as we are called to live just some of the time. We cannot live as God calls us to live when it’s easy or convenient, when it is personal, when it’s affecting us. The tide of evil is too great for us to pick and choose when we’ll live as God’s people. With this in mind, notice the shift in verse 12. This too is conditional. If we today live as God calls us to live faithfully and steadfastly, then one day “they” will rebuild and restore. Our example of holy living has the power to change the world.

These words of healing and hope are so needed for our broken world. The establishment of a world without brokenness, of a world where peace and justice are the norm – this world will not come through violence or coercion or power over others. The hard work of restoration and repair, of rescue and redemption will come through small acts of love, lived out again and again. These small acts of love will, one by one, change people’s lives and hearts. Standing against an injustice done to a stranger, speaking words of peace on behalf of the threatened, telling truth amidst the spin and false narratives, owning our part when we are complicit, mending a relationship that is broken, sharing a meal with the poverty-stricken, caring for a sick neighbor… These small acts of love are how our light shines in the darkness. May your light shine today.

Prayer: Lord God, there are many broken walls and many unlivable streets in our world today. How these unjust systems and evil practices must grieve your heart! Lord, may they grieve our hearts too. And then, Lord, with compassion and righteousness, use us to be your love and your light in the world, bringing healing and wholeness and peace and justice to our world. Amen.


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Alignment

Reading: Isaiah 58:1-9a

Isaiah 58:6 – “Isn’t this the fast I choose: releasing wicked restraints, untying the rope of a yoke, setting free the mistreated…?”

As we delve into the words of the prophet today and tomorrow, we do so recognizing the truth in Isaiah’s words yet today. God instructs the prophet to “shout loudly… Announce to my people their crime.” This echoes Micah’s words from last week. The people of Isaiah’s day seek God, yet abandon God. How does this work? Just as it does today. They want to be close to God but they live as if they did not know God. They are focused on self. The people of God “oppress all your workers… You quarrel and brawl.” These actions do not reflect a heart aligned with God’s will and way.

Starting in verse 6, God describes alignment: “Isn’t this the fast I choose: releasing wicked restraints, untying the rope of a yoke, setting free the mistreated…?” God desires a fast that changes hearts, that brings alignment with God’s heart. God’s kingdom on earth will not limit access to community, will not mistreat the other, will not keep people enslaved. It will be a place where all eat, where all are housed, where all are clothed, where all are included. This is the kingdom here on earth that I long for. Do you long for it? What am I, what are you doing to help make this kingdom a reality?

Isaiah looks forward, beginning in verse 8. The prophet shares the outcome of true alignment with God’s heart. Our light will “break out like the dawn” – spreading far and wide, touching every soul. Healing will come quickly and righteousness will guide all of our ways. Aligned with the heart of God, when we call out, God will quickly respond, “I’m here.” God will be with us as we are with God. O Lord, bring the day.

Prayer: Lord God, continue to unsettle us. Continue to open our eyes and hearts to the injustice, oppression, and violence of our time. Continue to raise our awareness of and response to those who live without the basics: food, clothing, shelter, safety, community. Continue to align our hearts with your heart, O God. Walking in step with you, use us to heal our broken land. Amen.


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All Because of Me

Reading: Matthew 5:10-12

Matthew 5:11 – “Happy are you when people insult you and harass you and speak all kinds of bad and false things about you, all because of me.”

As we read on in the Beatitudes today, Jesus invites us to stand for righteousness. Although standing for what is right and just in the world will bring harassment, insult, lies, slander, and worse, to stand for what is right remains the call of the faithful. Jesus encourages us to “be full of joy and be glad” in these times of standing for what is right and just, “because you have a great reward in heaven.”

How might one find joy and gladness when harassed, insulted…? We find joy and gladness in the midst of suffering evil because we are following Jesus’ words and example. In the scriptures we find this lived out again and again. Today Stephen and Paul come to mind. Stephen was stoned to death for proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Savior. He offered joyful praise and extended mercy to his killers as they hurled the stones. Paul writes again and again of joyfully serving Christ even when in chains, after being beaten… The joy and gladness comes through the presence of the risen Christ in the midst of insult, harassment, falsehoods… “all because of me.”

We see this lived out today as people stand against injustice and harassment and false narratives. We see it today as people stand and speak against the abusive power over being applied in the streets of our nation. We see it in our prayers that express our solidarity with those in harm’s way, those who are joyfully being the presence of Christ, placing themselves against these evils. Lord, be present in Spirit, to lead and to guide, to protect and to strengthen.

Prayer: Lord God, in the times, places, and spaces where insult, harassment, and falsehoods are the reality, strengthen and encourage your people to stand and speak for what is just and right and good. For those not physically present, lead and guide the prayers of your people and all else that can be offered as support and encouragement. Heal our land, O God. Pour out your peace and righteousness. Amen.


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The Power of Love

Reading: 1st Corinthians 1:18-25

1st Corinthians 1:23 – “We preach Christ crucified, which is a scandal to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.”

In this week’s Epistle reading, Paul addresses most people’s struggle with the cross of Jesus Christ. On the logical level, many people then and today struggle with the idea that a man would willingly die for others. On the religious level, many struggle with what happened next – that Jesus rose from the grave, thus ending sin and death’s hold on humanity. To many yet today the cross is scandal at best, foolishness at its worst.

Paul addresses three “crowds” in his writing. The first two are the Jews and the Gentiles. The Jews were looking for a Messiah who would rise up over the Romans, taking back control of Israel. To willingly submit to a horrific death – a scandal. The Gentiles – all non-Jews – were non-religious and therefore sought to use wisdom and logic to understand and make sense of the world around them. The giving and sharing of wisdom would end with death on the cross – foolishness.

These two basic “crowds” exist yet today. There are many who seek to make Jesus into their own image, seeking to control their version of Jesus for their own gain – politically, economically, socially. And there are those who will try and argue away who and what Jesus was and is. Atheists and others will try to “disprove” Jesus, elevating their own wisdom above all else.

Paul also writes of a third “crowd.” This crowd exists today as well. Those who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and give their lives to follow him see and understand the cross differently. They see the power and wisdom of the cross and of faithful living today as rooted in love. Love led Jesus to the cross to save us and love leads us out into the world so that others may be saved. Led in love, may we go forth, sharing God’s love with all people.

Prayer: Lord God, use us today to change the world. Just as love broke down the power of sin and death, send us out in love to break down the power of injustice, oppression, power over, greed, lust, prejudice… – the evils of our day. Love can defeat them all. So pour us out in love today, O God. Amen.


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Shine the Light

Reading: Isaiah 9:1-4

Isaiah 9:2 – “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.”

Once again we return to a text that we read earlier in the week – just two days ago. The passage begins with encouragement: “Those who were in distress won’t be exhausted.” God will be present. The community will be present to one another. Strength and hope will begin with God and will ripple down through the community, touching even those outside of the family of God. As human beings and as people called to follow Jesus Christ, we are called to care for and serve and love all of God’s creation.

The prophet writes these words in verse 2: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” Today the light is the light of Christ that burns within each of us. The light shines into darkness of all kinds. It shines into the darkness of violence and oppression. It shines into the darkness of injustice and marginalization. It shines into the darkness of prejudice and targeting. It shines into the darkness of grief and death. The light of Christ brings hope and comfort, guidance and direction, peace and presence, healing and new life.

The light of Christ also shines forward. In the midst of darkness, the light declares victory – in both the near and one-day future. The light shines beyond the present difficulties. It reveals the way to a better future. It points towards a place of glory and joy. May the light of Christ shine brightly in each of us. May it sustain and encourage us and those who see the light shining for all people.

Prayer: Lord God, our world needs the light of Christ to shine brightly. So stoke up the holy fire within each of your children. Together may we blaze forth into our broken and hurting world, bringing healing and wholeness, unity and justice, love and peace. Amen.


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How Can We…?

Reading: Psalm 27:1, 4-9

Psalm 27:8 – “Come, my heart says, seek God’s face! Lord, I do seek your face!”

Photo credit: Mitchel Lensink

We do not know the context for Psalm 27. Even though we do not know the cause, we do know that David’s words are a hopeful prayer lifted in the midst of a time of suffering and trial. In our hard times, perhaps these are words that we’ve lifted as a prayer. And today, in places near and far, rural and urban, well-off and living in poverty, these are words that many could or do lift to God as they suffer, struggle, and are afraid. As we consider these words today, may we also consider how we might be an answer to those near to us who lift these words or words like them as a prayer to God.

The Psalm begins with hope and confidence. With God as light, salvation, and protection, what is there to fear? For David, there are evildoers and enemies all around and an army encamped against him. Today, there is war, violence, threats, division, hatred, disease, injustice. People are in hiding, filled with fear – right here in our nation. David seeks shelter in the house of the Lord. If he could but dwell there every day of his life… While our churches largely remain safe places, getting there is another story for many people. For David and for the faithful today, being in God’s presence is a place and space to worship, to find joy, to rest “during troubling times.”

The last verses of today’s reading are a plea to God. David begs for God to hear, to listen, to have mercy. Encouraging himself and others, David implores his faith, saying, “Come, my heart says, seek God’s face! Lord, I do seek your face!” This is a hopeful request to “God who saves.” And again I wonder, how can we as the hands and feet of God bring both presence and peace and tangible help such as food and shelter to those suffering and living in fear today?

Prayer: Lord God, for those of us not facing persecution or oppression or threat, not living in fear, not suffering, move us to action on behalf of those experiencing these things. Use us as you may to restore justice, basic freedoms, safety. For those lacking these things, be present to them wherever they are – in one of your houses or in places of hiding. And through us, may they feel and know your love, your protection, and your peace. Amen.