There is a danger, when one has some influence over others' lives, that he or she will use that power or influence for their own gain, either by benefitting those who can benefit him/her, or through direct gain by their abuse of power and influence. Politicians, judges, parole boards, economic czars and executives, corporate execs, bosses, police officers, military leaders, pastors and others need to look with sober judgment at the uses of their power and influence.
In People of the Way of Jesus worship on Sunday, Minister Ron Williams preached and blessed us with a word on the unjust judge and the widow from Luke 18. It was very enlightening and sparked a great discussion over our Agape Meal. It also provoked powerful prayer. The teaching about the judge's disregard for God and human beings, brought us to see that he was not motivated by what was right and good for others, or right and good according to God's will, but what would benefit him politically or economically. The widow "pestered" him until she got a just judgment, so he was also motivated by what was most comfortable or expedient for him at the time. It was inspiring to see how her persistence in demanding justice worked, and hopeful with regard to many voices joining together to demand justice.
When economic leaders, politicians and others with authority, power or influence do not do what is right... parole boards, etc. ... they need to hear about it. We must get beyond our complacency, apathy and comfortability to demand what is right and just for all people, and especially, like the poor widow, the most vulnerable in our society. Injustice for ANYONE is injustice done to ALL. Many voices, persistent for long periods of time, especially in prayer... will have an effect even on those motivated by their own political or economic gain... and GOD, who IS just, will hear and bring justice in God's time and God's way.
So, pray...
Shed your ignorance of issues, complacency, apathy and comfortability...
and Speak Justice to Power...
Demand what is just and right for all, and especially for the most vulnerable in our society...
and do it persistently... for they count on you to not know anything about what is going on, to not want to risk what you have, and to have a short memory, and that your fervor for justice will subside after a short time, so that INJUSTICE and UNRIGHTEOUS actions may be taken with impunity.
Silence and absence imply complacency and apathy, which are interpreted as agreement or compliance... that is what the UNJUST count on... let's give them intentional, persistent, organized, multi-faceted and powerful pressure to do the right thing! Let's be aware of what is going on... shrewd as a snake and unmixed as a dove... and work toward justice... let's be inspired by the poor widow, Rosa Parks, Dr. King, William Wallace, Martin Luther, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Bishop Oscar Romero, Mother Teresa, Gandhi, Cornell West... whoever has been willing to speak truth and justice to power, and do so through letters, petitions, demonstrations, discussions and ballots...
...because those with authority, power and influence NEED us to do that, lest they go down the wrong path for the wrong reasons!
...because those who have no voice, no power and no influence NEED us to do that, lest they simply continue to be abused.
Pastor Jamie
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