|
Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
-James 3:18
This week, we lit the candle of peace. We talk often about how peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice. As we anticipate the birth of the Christ child, we don’t anticipate one who advocated merely a cessation of all conflict, but one who taught the necessary work of justice to make peace on earth. For those of us in this country and our community of privilege and power, we should be asking ourselves what we can do to use our gifts like the Magi, to give to a young family in need and not like Herod, hopelessly and violently clinging to the status quo and his own power over the powerless. So what does that look like for us in the modern world?
One of the most inspiring stories of 2021 was about the coming Lacrosse World Games in 2022. Many countries were invited. But the Iroquois National team was conspicuously absent. They ruled that the Iroquois were not a sovereign nation. The real kicker? The Iroquois invented lacrosse. Under public pressure and a petition with over 50,000 signatures, the organizers admitted their massive mistake. However, the matches were set and there was no room in the inn… I mean… the tournament. Enter the Irish, underdogs of the world, perpetually oppressed, and now, in a position of privilege. What did they do? They stepped aside and gave up their space for the Iroquois, who they rightly gave thanks for the game they invented and which brings joy to athletes and fans around the world.
So what can we do? Maybe you own an inn. Maybe you’re a world-renowned lacrosse player. Maybe you’re a king. But probably not. But if you’re reading this, you live in the wealthiest and most powerful country in history and probably in our Johns Creek community. And you have access to a computer or smart phone. This means you have access to choose some of the most influential leaders in the world through our elections, the companies we support, the movies and journalism we consume. We have access to knowledge and power greater than ancient royalty. So we can choose to use it for ourselves and perpetuate and protect our power and privilege or we can use it like the Magi, wisely, to lift the poor and needy, to honor the lowly, to serve.
Reflect this year on who you can help with your gifts or when you may be able to step aside and put someone else first. We have countless opportunities in our church and community and we’d love to connect you so you can change the world too.
|
