It seems like every day we are bombarded with news about a march, a protest or a vigil. Our social media is full of requests for money to fund some social or political campaign. Requests come in to help reunite migrant families, to sign petitions, to abandon plastic straws or to email our legislators about something or other.
I want to support many of these issues, but I often feel overwhelmed.
Still, as a Christian, I feel I am called to act. I am reminded of Micah 6:8: “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
What does it mean to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God? How does one live out this call?
Doing what I can
For me, that Micah 6:8 call means that I must do what I can. It means that I should continue to learn about issues that concern me and educate others about them.
Recently, I participated in a 15-minute prayer vigil led by the Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants. The vigil was held outside a detention facility in a Chicago suburb where migrants are detained, then transferred to Central America, Mexico and beyond.
Because it was an interfaith vigil, the 40 or so of us there heard powerful reflections in a variety of languages from people of different faith traditions. We also heard from previously detained immigrants.
Blessings to and from others
In early July, I joined a Chicago march against violence with thousands of people from all sectors of society. Teachers, parents, young children, elders, church and faith groups, and union representatives all marched on a major Chicago highway.
We were all united for a common theme: peace. Many of the marchers held signs with photos of their loved ones who had been killed by gun violence. Others marched with their children as they cried out for a better future: one without guns.
As the marchers walked off the highway, a man was sitting in the middle of the street playing an African drum. We were hot and tired after the march, and this man lifted our spirits. He showed up and shared his gift. The drummer reminded me that all we need to do is show up and share the talents God has blessed us with so that we may be a blessing to others.
Those these two events were different; they were both displays of love for our neighbor. And both were opportunities to show my faith in action: to do justice, to love kindness, to walk with God.
How do you live out Micah 6:8?
Jen DeLeon is director for justice for Women of the ELCA. To learn how she can “do justice,” she turns to Women of the ELCA’s justice page and the ELCA advocacy page. Download for free our Rachel’s Day resource about ending gun violence against children.
Thank you Jennifer, for addressing the issue of feeling overwhelmed in today’s world. I think all caring people of God feel this. I found you writing comforting and inspiring. Also, the comments of each person above contributed to the “blessed assurance” that God is present with us and the encouragement to keep showing up for and engaging with God’s people.
“He showed up and shared his gift.” What a simple yet profound reminder that God calls us to action with not because we can solve the issue ourselves, but because even the gifts we may consider to be small are part of God’s plan for true justice and peace. Just as God equipped and encouraged David when he faced Goliath, we too are prepared with stones and slingshots of our own to take down the Goliath-sized injustices plaguing our world right now. Thank you for this reminder and encouragement to show up; even when I know I can’t solve everything, showing up still matters. It matters because when we show up for one another, God shows up too.
To answer your question: I truly live. I see the people around me. I acknowledge them and converse with them and engage them. I never take for granted the place that God had put me in and know he has done so for a purpose, even if I can’t see it. I try to treat others as I would like to be treated and instead of feeling bad for someone, I think of ways I can impower them. I led by example and am not afraid to call out bad behavior. I admit when I have failed or I have no idea how to handle a situation. I don’t pretend to be something I am not and I learn about something before I accept someone else’s viewpoint. Doing justice, loving kindly and being humble with God is a daily process. We all fail at times, but we all have the opportunity to try again.
Thank you for the reminder, Jennifer. Your faithfulness and commitment to stand and walk in solidarity is beautiful. I will work to keep loving kindness.
Thank you for your witness Jennifer! “If God is for us, who can be against us?”