| God's Word is a lamp to guide our feet and a light for our path. —Psalm 119:105   Does your city feel like Heaven?
Last year, my family and I took a cross-country, month-long road trip to different cities where I was teaching and preaching in churches about practical steps toward biblical justice. When we got home, my daughter, Mary, asked me if I ever just wanted to give up.
"Aren't you preaching, teaching, and writing about the same inequality and imbalances in our culture that Dr. King and so many others have talked about for generations?" Mary's eyes filled with tears as she wrestled with her desire to see the world whole and healed.
I wiped a tear from her cheek. "Immanuel, God is with us, my love. On the good days and the hard days. He is always with us. We are joining Jesus in His plan to establish the Kingdom of God on Earth as it is in Heaven. It's His plan, not ours. We get to do our small part."
The ensuing discussion with Max and Mary, my two oldest kids, gripped my heart and gave me hope. I could tell they wanted to do something. Use their voice. Make a difference in this world.
But I could also sense the uncertainty of trying to do their part in conversations that have been ongoing for generations about racial and economic inequality.
I think we have all felt like Max and Mary.
*
Psalm 119:105 (NLT) reminds us that,
God's Word is a lamp to guide our feet and a light for our path.
We can feel the temptation to quit when we begin to explore matters related to complex and deeply embedded behaviors and policies in our culture. Exasperated, we feel the urge to back down because we can't see the outcome. The promise of healing and wholeness in our world found in Revelation 21:4—no more hurting, pain, tears, etc.—seems unattainable and aspirational.
However, we were never promised floodlights to illuminate the entire path from injustice to justice. We were promised a lamp. Instead of giving us the complete plan, God promises that His Word will give us just enough light to take one or two sure steps at a time. His light gives us confidence to take the next right step.
These steps can include:
What is the next right step on the path toward healing in your community? The only person that can answer that question is you. If you happen to feel discouraged or overwhelmed, you have joined the company of every person that has faithfully traveled the path of justice.
As you pray, read the Word, follow your curiosity, and become familiar with wise and faithful authors, the Holy Spirit will lead and guide you to understanding your context. Your personal development, socioeconomic status, cultural background, the community you're in, the gifts God has given you, and the needs of those around you will inform your specific path toward establishing the Kingdom of God in your city. Some may need to embrace a season of pausing long enough to learn and grow. Others may need to find the courage to take the next step toward action in your church or community. Max and Mary are in a season of learning and growing. My wife, Dara, and I are in a season of preaching, teaching, and advocacy.
If we are all taking steps toward justice guided by lamplight, I believe one day we'll look up to the illuminated reality of justice and equity—on earth as it is in Heaven. Until then, we just have to take it one guided step at a time.
What is your next step on the path toward justice?
 Written for Faithgateway by David Docusen, author of Neighborliness.
Your Turn
God is the God of justice. Micah 6:8 says, "He has told you, o man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" Come share your thoughts on establishing the Kingdom of God in your city. We want to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily Share this devotion with someone who needs it today.
Learn to Love Your Neighbor Like Jesus
Save 30% off
Neighborliness by David Docusen  Softcover: $18.99 ebook price: $9.99 + save $5 with code GLAD on orders over $35 Do you want to love your neighbor as yourself but don't know where to start? This practical, accessible guide to bridging the dividing lines of politics, race, and economics, both individually and as the church, will help you amplify Jesus in your community and build God's kingdom.
When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus gave a two-part answer: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" and also "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Love God. Love others.
Jesus' simple command to love your neighbor can feel overwhelming when your neighbor looks, lives, and votes differently than you do. Racial and economic tensions across the country have resulted in deep dividing lines that seem really intimidating to cross.
Docusen breaks down these lines in approachable chapters, including topics like these:
Neighborliness is a practical guide to bridging those dividing lines and learning to recognize and amplify the beauty of God in our communities. Backed by David's speaking and training through the Neighborliness Center, this book will help individuals and churches reach out to their neighbors, love them through Christ, and build God's kingdom.
 The Hope of Easter: 40 Days of Reading and Reflection  List Price: $14.99
Celebrate March Gladness with us all month long!
Save $5 off any order of $35 or more with code GLAD 
Devotionals Daily ~ our mission is to help you grow and share your faith. *Sale price ends on 3/31/22. Limited quantities available. Sale pricing excludes ebooks and audiobooks. Coupon GLAD valid until March 31, 2022, at 11:59p.m. ET. Offer valid online only. Take an extra $5 off your purchase of $35 or more, after promotions and discounts and before shipping and handling costs are applied. Shipping, gift cards, or customization of products does not qualify towards minimum purchase requirements. Offer only available to customers in the United States age 18 and older. To redeem offer, enter promo code GLAD during online checkout or provide the code to a representative during phone orders. Cannot be redeemed for cash or combined with any other discount offer. FaithGateway reserves the right to de-activate the promo code in the event of fraud or technical issues and limit quantities of individual items eligible for purchase with this discount. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law. Not valid for resale. Not valid on previous purchases or with employee discounts.
**eBooks purchases are fulfilled by our partner, Glose. Please note that:
Copyright © 2022 HarperCollins Christian Publishing, All Rights Reserved. |
- light for our path toward justice
- Posted by On
Under:
-
Popular Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment