Good morning…
I sat uncomfortably in the ant-filled grass, sweating in the sun, experiencing last weekend’s rally. I listened attentively to story after story of unkind treatment, derogatory comments, rampant racism recalled by recent grads. I wanted to be witness. I wanted to give support. I wanted to say with my presence, “You are heard. You are valued. You sharing your truth opens a pathway to healing.”
It was not my place to say a word, to add a thought, to grab the mic. It was my place to witness, to support, to offer my presence. Yet I wonder, “How can my silent witness really bring solidarity? Will my silence slowly slip into no comment, no response, no lasting change?”
“It is a sad fact of human nature that we want quiet without peace and justice without disruption,” says an article sent by a non-silent subscriber. “Quiet refuses to examine the ideologies our society perpetuates. Quiet is a toxic silence about the facts on the ground. Quiet continues the cover up. Quiet is what immoral systems require of good people. Yet again, the lethal nature of quiet has come to light in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Louisville, Kentucky and Brunswick, Georgia. In each instance, Quiet and the collusion of co-workers, helped to facilitate murder. Peace, according to the bible, is only present when there is justice in the land. And justice only comes when the status quo is disrupted and confronted about its blind spots and gaps and change follows.”
All week I have been actively praying in silent solidarity for all of us involved in the ugliness of injustice. For all who hold painful memories. For all who have lost loved ones to violence or incarceration. For all who, knowingly or unknowingly, have inflicted unspeakable anguish. For all of us “waking up” witnesses who are confronting our blind spots and seeking to build bridges to peace that permeates everyone.
“My great hope, in this present turmoil and in the difficult journey ahead toward lasting progress and justice, is that we discover new square footage in our souls,” concludes Bishop Rob Wright in this challenging article. “That our discomfort with injustice pushes us past our personal comfort zones. That we live the words we pray with a new fullness. That we become a truly courageous and liberated church. And, that we throw off the asphyxiating fear of being labeled by some and rest in the nobility of our calling as followers of Jesus.”
Now in these quiet moments, I imagine myself handwriting a note and passing along God’s Word to each of us who are wrestling to understand our personal part in God’s healing solution.
Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given — keep that dusted off and in use (1 Timothy 4:11-14, MSG).
…Sue…
