Knowing and doing what is right is often a complex matter.
Think about a small community where discussion about the future is taking place.
Some think the best course for the future is to keep things the way they have
been for decades. Others fear that people will not stay in the community if
things do not change and that this will cause the whole community to suffer.
They think development means a strong future for the people already there and
for others who will come.
How much growth is good growth? At what point do we overbuild
and destroy a way of life for others? Who decides? What criteria do we use to
decide? In planning for the future we must weigh many factors. One of them must
be the impact our actions will have on people who are often excluded from the
decision-making process.
To be an advocate is to lend our influence and voice to those
who are usually unseen and unheard. To be an advocate is to strive to do what is
right in the Lord's sight and also in the sight of others who often are out of
sight.
Written by the Rev. Kathy Haueisen for Women of the ELCA.
Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible,
copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education
of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, and are used by permission. All rights reserved.
Copyright ©
1995 Women of the ELCA. All rights reserved.
May be reproduced for use in congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America provided the copyright information above appears on every copy with
these words: Used with permission.
For all other purposes
contact Women of the ELCA.