There is a danger in talking about injustice in the world. Sometimes, well intentioned people think that by TALKING about injustices they are actually DOING something about them. It’s the inverse of “Show me; don’t tell me.” We become hearers (or speakers) of good words, but not doers of good works. I’m afraid, by blogging about books I’m reading or things I’m learning, that I will slide into that habit of talking instead of doing. I invite you to call me back to action if you notice me drifting away from being an instrument of peace and provision in the world.
There is also a danger in nottalking about injustice in the world. By remaining silent, we allow people, wealthy and poor, to live lives that are not fully human. We refuse each other the invitation to express out humanity in ways which respect the dignity and humanness of our neighbors. We accept the illusion of spiritual wholeness being bought and consumed at the mall. We can remain blind to the opportunity to experience wholeness through sharing and community.
In this political season, I haven’t been able to decide for myself whether I am more impressed by the example of one candidate’s deeds or by the challenge of the other candidate’s rhetoric. What I HAVE decided is that if decent people would do more to voluntarily create a society of shared resources and shared spaces then we could see more of the Kingdom of God on earth than we would by waiting for politicians to deliver on empty yet hopeful speeches. I don’t care how you vote this Fall. I hardly care IF you vote at all. But, if you think that you’ve exhausted your opportunity to make the world a better place by spending an hour in line waiting to vote, then you are wrong. We can do so much more. We can do more together. For a list of ideas of ways we can bring life to our neighborhoods, check out the Ideas for Your Neighborhood page at this site.
Over the next several posts I’m going to blog about what I’m learning in a class that I’m taking with my wife. It’s called JustFaith, and we are about 5 weeks into the 30 week course. Eventually I’ll create a page of links to resources which might help you make the difference you want to make on your thousand acres. Let’s get busy.