Read
“But let justice flow like water, and righteousness, like an unfailing stream.” Amos 5:24 (HCSB)
Reflect
To treat fairly. To act in a manner that is morally justifiable. Those are tricky to wrap our minds around in an age where everyone wants everything to be acceptable and the world – frankly – isn’t fair. The well qualified are overlooked for the extraordinarily popular. Those who strive to do good and treat others well are ignored for the flashy and controversial. It’s easy to look at our communities – online and off – and point fingers at the faults and unfairness.
And it can be easy to become caught up in trying to make it right. I, personally, happen to have an over-active sense of justice. I’m hyper-aware of anything that might be viewed as favoritism and have been known to righteously stand up for something that didn’t seem “fair” – in the name of justice. Not all of those battles are mine to fight, though – a lesson learned the hard way.
While it’s true the life isn’t fair and we’re often inclined to point out all the ways it’s not, there is something better we can do instead. What if we took the heart for justice that God put in us and changed our hyper-attentive focus from trying to fix things for others and instead focused on ways to encourage our sisters and glorify God’s kingdom?
What if we decided that our communities would be a place where we did the hard work of treating others fairly? What if we tuned our minds to those who needed an extra dose of encouragement? What if we used our platforms to lift up someone else who might otherwise be overlooked? What would happen if we changed our posture from finger-pointing to hands reaching out to help a sister move to the next step in her calling? All while honoring God and loving others.
Respond
Jesus, teach us to use our communities to be places where justice flows like water. Show us how to treat one another fairly, to fight for and not with, and to love one another. May we follow your example and pursue lives that are righteous and just. May we always see the overlooked and the ones in need of encouragement as we walk this calling you have given us.
Kristi Atkinson says
Yes, yes. Justice is one of those issues that I really wrestle with. Living our faith in an unjust world. What that looks like on a micro/macro level. Thanks Crystal.
Lisa says
Agree agree agree! I pray today that I will be able to lift someone up or encourage them today with Jesus’ help. Our communities will be so much stronger (in love for Jesus, in love for one another, in freindship) because someone reached out.