Courage to Bear Witness
Last night I saw the flames dance above the heads of children, adolescents, adults, the elderly, and even those honking horns. The energy and enthusiasm enveloped me. I saw the joy that comes out of disappointment and the resurrection that comes out of death. Dr. King and Scripture were invoked to frame a struggle that is true and right and just. I found myself caught up in gratitude for the hard work that has been done to lift up a people and persons who are our sisters, uncles, brothers, aunts, mothers, father-in-laws, and friends. But now the hard work begins again, God of Our Struggle. Give us the courage to engage. Give us the courage to bear witness. Let every meeting over coffee bring some of that flame to bear. Let every family-get-together kindle hope for a city transformed. Let every small conversation, public meeting, and private prayer bear your purifying intent to bring justice, and wholeness, and care to Billings. Give us the courage to engage. Let this celebration of hope give us the courage and energy to engage. Amen.
Mike, thanks for naming God of Our Struggle. In the lineage of Jacob/Israel, that's good to hear.
ReplyDeleteThanks for initiating the new blog. I look forward to following.
Blessings are inwithandthrough you and your family as you give yourselves to Billings.
Love,
Richard
Thank you, Richard, for such kind words.
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