Justice

"If you open your heart to the hungry and provide abundantly for those who are afflicted, your light will shine in the darkness." Isaiah 58:10

God has been telling me something about justice lately. One of the books I had to read for my doctoral studies was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Stride Toward Freedom about the civil rights story during his time in Montgomery. Of course, we're hosting Family Promise beginning this Sunday, and I've been given the honor of speaking at the Family Promise National Convention (which is in Atlanta) this May. Last night, this passage was one of the ones in our LIFE Group study that meets at our house. Okay, God, I think I get the hint. The Church has done more for the poor than any organization in the history of planet earth. However, we have also rightfully gotten a bad rap for not being for justice in the world.

Christians often give to a missionary overseas, send a shoebox filled with goodies to a far off country, or volunteer a day at a local soup kitchen and feel like we've done our good deed for the day...or year. But followers of God never get a pass. In fact, this is one of the primary ways we are a light for the community. We live in a world where people feel alone, downtrodden, helpless, and outcast. People live in darkness. The simplest of deeds, as the Body of Christ in the world, can help people see light in the darkness. But we don't do this to feel better about ourselves. We don't do this for show. We do this because it honors God, who is FOR justice, who is FOR people. When we become FOR the things God is for, we start to look like Him. You want to grow closer to God? Then be about the things He is about -- you'll find Him standing right next to you.