Redeemer Devotions for January 23, 2013

As this is the week we remember the life of the follower of Jesus who is known to

us as Martin Luther King, Jr., I have been thinking about God as justice rolling.



Once we are aware of the need for taking on the journey of looking after the welfare

of all - justice - it is as though our eyes open and cannot completely shut any

more. Once we see the wounds within our society - once we see the brutality of injustice

- once we see the devastation of warfare - once we see the poor left out and the

rich often let off the hook, our eyes will not shut. Some may think that is a curse.

It is a blessing. It is a blessing because we are then able to step up and begin

to use our individual lives to be a part of the healing balm that is so greatly

needed in and through all the days of our lives.



When God's justice is rolling among us, we are turned to see the world not as we

want but how it is. There are systems - of which we are a part - that do not want

to consider the welfare of all. In fact, many of our systems that we hold so close

to us want to keep people divided and wounded and within the realm of what is -

never looking to what the Beloved Community may be like. We cannot be so foolish

to think that the way things happen are to be are the way things must be. No. Even

the most well-thought out, well-worded, well-intended rules and regulations and

articles of incorporation, eventually will fight against the rolling of justice

for all. The system - no matter what it may be - is always consumed by its own self-preservation.

Therefore, vision may be grand - but it is always less than the life that comes

within the domain of God's Reign. So, we must continue to question the best intentions

that are thrown out onto the floor. We must continue to see our part in all of those

best intentions that limit the well-being and power of others. We must continue

to repent - turn around - and start rolling along with God's ever-flowing Reign

of love that will keep pulling us together for the well-being of all God's beloved.

That is power - that is love - that is justice for all.



O God of love and new life, keep the big wheel of justice rolling among us. Amen.

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