For lots of reasons, this last week has been a big reminder about the depth of suffering in the world. Typically, we don’t have to look very far to see injustice, poverty, oppression, racism, and hatred.
And here’s what’s tricky: You may not think that those issues are prevalent in the area where you live. You might just look around every day and see kindness, fairness, and compassion in abundance. If that’s the case, know that it is very rare indeed, and then consider the possibility of looking behind the scenes a little bit. Peek behind the curtain that separates your comfort from someone else’s hardship. Hurting hearts are all around you, even if people can easily hide behind seemingly “normal” circumstances.
And know this: even if we legitimately feel like we live in a bubble, that doesn’t exempt any of us from the responsibility of ministering to people in our communities, our nation, and our world. Needs are great, and resources are scarce. We certainly don’t have to fix everything—we couldn’t if we tried—but as people who profess faith in Jesus Christ, we should be ever-mindful and ever-prayerful of Micah 6:8:
Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.
You might even say that we’re called to be ambassadors of Micah 6:8. We should represent it no matter where we are. That doesn’t mean that we try to help a bunch of people and promptly cast ourselves in the role of hero. Gospel-centered, gospel-driven ministry isn’t the work of Captain America, after all. However, it does mean that we try to be more servant-like. That’s the “walk humbly” part. And as we find joy in our service, as we prioritize someone else’s needs above our own, we will more than likely find that we “love faithfulness” and kindness.
But how do you “act justly” in the middle of all the challenges in our current culture, especially if you’re at a point in your life when you might not be on your own yet? Well, you have countless opportunities at your school or your job or within your own family to stand up for what’s right and to serve as an advocate when someone’s voice isn’t being heard. After all, when we know the people we encounter in our daily routines are made in the image of God and should be treated as such, it changes how we respond. We’re more likely to speak up and less likely to be idle bystanders. The Lord has given you a sound mind, a compassionate heart, and a strong voice; acting justly requires all three.
Today might be the perfect day to ask the Lord to show you how you can meet someone’s needs in Jesus’ name. What a gift to be a bridge-builder for the kingdom of God! And no matter what you’re led to do, bow low and pray that, through your service, someone sees Jesus.
Or, better yet, that someone knows that Jesus sees her.
1. Do you tend to stay pretty aware of the injustices that surround you? Or do you sometimes fall into the trap of bubble-wrapping yourself or steering clear of difficult circumstances?
2. When you think about how you can “act justly” in your own community, what comes to mind?
3. When you think about how you can demonstrate mercy and kindness in your own community, what comes to mind?
4. What are some specific ways you could minister to and be a voice for people who aren’t necessarily heard?
Today’s Prayer