Friday 27 March 2009

This week, devotions are based on a section of "The Strength of Love" called 'Our God is Able" - by Martin Luther King, Jr.

An evil system, known as colonialism, swept across Africa and Asia. But then the quiet invisible law began to operate. Prime Minister Macmillan said, "The wind of change began to blow." The powerful colonial empires began to disintegrate like stacks of cards, and new, independent nations began to emerge like refreshing oases in deserts sweltering under the heat of injustice. In less than fifteen years independence has swept through Asia and Africa like an irresistible tidal wave, releasing more than 1,500,00 people from the crippling manacles of colonialism.

The winds do change and systemic evil does meet its day - its Waterloo. But we must also be aware that power that replaces power is not always for the benefit of all. As we saw the elimination of the oppressive powers of colonialism, we have also see the devastating powers of abusive structures in these same place. Evil always finds a way into every system and will make off with the hopes and dreams of people. We must not simply point fingers at what is evil. When we do that and a new power comes to be, all we will have learned is how to point fingers. We must be a part of a new creation that continues to drink from the well of new life where justice prevails and evil is made to stand back and be ruled by the way of nonviolent peace. Yes, you may say, I'm a dreamer.

Connection: Evil must be resisted by a creative force of nonviolence or else we will become a part of evil within a new day. This is the importance of the Spirit of Life that is the power to lead us to new life even when we are tempted to win the day rather than remake the day.

By the wind of your Spirit, O God, fill us up with the vision of your Reign so that as other powers attempt to rule us, we will continue to take in your wind of life. Amen.