Wednesday 4 March 2009

Today's piece from "The Strength to Love" will be matched by tomorrow's - again from M.L. King.

At times we need to know that the Lord is a God of justice. When slumbering giants of injustice emerge in the earth, we need to know that there is a God of power who can cut them down like the grass and leave them withering like the green herb. When our most tireless efforts fail to stop the sweep of oppression, we need to know that in this universe is a God whose matchless strength is a fit contrast to the sordid weakness of man.

This understanding...this knowledge, is the foundation that gives God's people the ability to resist tyrants and oppressors. When powers of violence and hatred and separation and lies appear to have the upper hand and there does not appear to be any power that can contain them or defeat them, God's people are to assure one another that God Reigns. This is not a pie-in-the-sky vision. It is a reality onto which we are called to cling and from which we take our next steps along the way of our Lord. We trust that God Reigns. We trust and no matter what may take place we are invited to continue our walk of trust and hope within the blessed assurance that our God prevails over all powers. This is why we can walk forward in a non-violent manner. When we do that, we befuddle the violence of the world. When Gandhi's followers kept walking forward, line by line, are were beaten with sticks by the British, they walked forward as though the power being displayed was not the power that would prevail. When King marched in the face of those who seemed to rule all that was he walked with the blessed assurance that injustice, with all its claims to power, would fold and justice would prevail within a realm of peace. We are no more than grass but so are those who attempt to be something more at the cost of God's Beloved people. So in the face of that which looks like the end, we are a people invited to live as though we are entering the beginning of something new.

Connection: It is not easy to stand up and stay standing in the face of injustice. Sometimes I like to look down and see my feet on the ground. It is a simple reminder of my place to be a child of God and to open my mouth or move forward. It doesn't always work...but it helps.

You, O God, are the ground upon which our lives can open up and take part in the peaceable Reign that you promise for all your beloved. On such a ground, injustice will fold up...violence will lose its place, and your people will stand within a new life that is a gift. We thank you, Life-giving Lord. Amen.