Some pickings from “A Passion for the Possible” by William Sloan Coffin.
...the planet is at risk, and in an order of magnitude never previously even imagined. No longer is the survival unit a single nation or single anything; it is the entire human race plus the environment. Beyond saluting their flags, children in school should pledge allegiance “to the earth, and to the flora, fauna, and human life that it supports; one planet indivisible with clean air, soil, and water, economic justice, freedom, and peace for all.”
No one will win an election making suggestions like this. In fact, in many circles we enter every day this kind of wide open care for more than our own kind and our own place would be considered naïve, if not completely ridiculous. That being the case, it is important for the followers of Jesus to call forth that which sounds absurd to the air of division that seems so “normal in our world. Rather than go along with the same old turned-in-on-self that is a trademark of the brokenness of our humanity and is too often exemplified in national politics, why not speak up and never let “what is” be the only way the future is shaped. If all we can be is for “my corner of the world” or “our way of life” we not only will risk the well-being of all of us, we will miss out on the wonders of God’s gracious Reign because we are afraid of God’s glorious possibilities.
Connection: Do not be afraid of lifting your eyes so that you can see the beauty and worth of the whole of God’s creation. When we hear those self-centered voices, why don’t we lift a voice from the absurd Reign of God so that it too may be a part of the conversation. Yes, we may be discounted and ignored but in our speaking, we may strengthen one another to speak and act beyond the limited views of our world.
By the power of Your Holy Spirit direct us so that all your people may begin to the worth of those who may not be a reflection of my self and my world view. When you call your people a light to the nations continue to remind us of the life that this light reveals and encourage us to walk in the glow of its hopefulness. Amen.
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