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In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
-Matthew 5:16
Just a few weeks ago, I was invited to Shabbat services at our neighboring house of worship, Congregation Dor Tamid by my friend, the Rabbi Jordan Ottenstein. He had invited all of us from the Johns Creek Interfaith Clergy group. After the hostage situation that week. The message was a powerful reminder of our important call to stand for justice. But the highlight for me was the children.
On my row, there was a family I’d met before. They have three younger children. They attended the Rosh Hashanah service in our JCPC parking lot during Covid when they couldn’t meet inside. They had then peaked out of the sunroof of their car to worship and sing. And this night, they danced in our aisle as the music played and we sang. They were fully aware of the tragedies of the week and the way their community was targeted. They listened to the message and the prayers. But they trusted that it was still ok to be joyful and dance when we sang.
It was a powerful reminder to me then that even on the midst of the stress, the chaos, the transition, and the incredible challenges of this world, we are not called to live in fear, but in love. I was inspired by their joy and their courage. I was moved to be joyful too and to work hard to make their world safe enough to dance in. I hope that this week, you’ll find both the time and courage to dance. And I hope you’ll feel the call to help build the world a little better, to stand up to people who make the world scary and dark, and shine your light where it’s needed most.
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