My brain is wired to sniff out injustice and oppression in a heartbeat. It's a drive, a calling, a passion that I cannot escape.
There are MANY days when I wish this distinction could have rested on my neighbor instead of me. And yet, there are days when I thank God for giving me a front-row seat to seeing some INCREDIBLE miracles happen because people have been mobilized to speak out against injustice; to see what was wrong being reconciled to right-ness - it's a reward like none other.
Some of the challenges with being wired this way:
* People often perceive the prophetic calling out of injustice as power-position of a "holier than thou" attitude.
* Nobody wants it to be revealed that they may have been implicitly engaged in injustice.
* Not all injustice is noticed or called out; sometimes really important issues are missed.
* Calling out injustice can be overwhelming to some people, especially those blessed with an abundance of positivity.
* It's annoying to others who cannot seem to see how others' suffering is related to themselves.
* Weighing out "real" injustice/oppression against less threatening injustices -- listening to the internal (and external) voices that say, "Pick your battles."
* The "what if" questions: what if I raise the alarm and it makes the situation worse; what if no one responds; what if this reduces my credibility/my influence; what if I'm wrong?
* Listening to the lies of discouragement: this isn't going to change anything; you're being too nosy; nobody is asking for this change; do you think you're the first person to try doing anything about this; 20 year from now - nobody will even care; you have your OWN issues - you're not perfect; who do you think you are to point out someone else's flaws; what if someone finds out some injustice you've committed?
You see - there's a lot more to lose than there is to gain...or so it seems.
But God's view of injustice is clear - the Lord renounces it; God detests injustice because it twists the world and brings harm to the planet and to people who are created for good things.
But then, the voice of the Lord becomes clearer and clearer in scriptures like:
"Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause." - Isaiah 1:17
"He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" - Micah 6:8
"When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers." - Proverbs 21:15
"To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice." - Proverbs 21:3
"Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy." - Proverbs 31:9
So - when it comes to hearing the voice of God calling out through the ages into our present moments, the smell of injustice seems especially notable in these days.
...there's going to be a lot more to say...
This is what's on my mind today.