Once again I have the privilege to participate in the metroyouthnetwork ministry; this time the assignment is “justice.” Initially my thoughts circulated around the excitement of being able to say something about a subject that has been a constant companion throughout my years of officer-ship ministry due to the assignments that came along in my various appointments.
Children and youth at risk – from families at risk; often neither child nor family is at fault. Too frequently they fall in-between the cracks, as we say. Often our own organization inadvertently allows that process and we keep them out of reach from having crucial spiritual and social needs met; often “we” don’t see that it happens. Justice then fails and fails within our own community. Throughout my service I have had the privilege to engage in advocacy designed to prevent that from happening.
So – I sat down, paper and pencil at hand, all set to let my passion and erudition flow – to the benefit of presumed readers. And yet – the thoughts raced around in my head and heart, getting mixed up with one another. How to reduce all that passion to a 500-word presentation immediately paralyzed my pen; failed efforts seemed to be the only response with far too many words.
I then sought the aid of Webster to get me started; justice is defined as “just behavior or treatment – concern for genuine respect for people.” Hmm! And – “behaving according to what is morally right and fair.” Another hmm!
How do we make sense of today’s myriad of social and justice issues; they seem to overwhelm us with no easy solutions. Often it seems the overarching issue just gets more confusing and unmanageable. We settle for the exotic, or the new trends – or we paralyze and do nothing. The unjust situations right in front of us –in the midst of our own corps communities – are overlooked.
The author of the book of Hebrews (12:3) seems to have found the secret as to how to make sense of the confusion, saying “when I grow weary…I consider Him!” (exclamation mine)
The Creator, our Father, states His position and in Exodus 23:6 commands: ”do not deny justice to your poor people;” in Isaiah 28:17:”I will make justice the measuring line.” A further reflection and delving into Hebrews 12, helps me to take note of the several “us” in that chapter of the Scriptures – there is no “I” or other indication of solo pronoun. When we live in community, we make it as a community – we are blessed as a community. Here I find part of the answer. Ron Sider and John Perkins in their recently published book urge us to Link Arms, Link Lives as the solutions for the children, youth and families falling in-between (the Army) cracks in my community, in your community. Can you – will you – link arms with your fellow Salvationists and join for the sake of justice?
Youth Department