Tomorrow, we’ll begin 25 Steps Toward Justice. Every morning in December, you’ll receive an email inviting you to engage in an area of injustice by reading an article, watching a short video, or engaging in a reflective activity.
During Jesus’ time on earth, justice was integral to how he engaged with people. As we prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth—and the joy, healing, and wholeness he desires for each person —we pursue a deeper understanding of God’s heart for justice and how our brokenness manifests itself on earth. God gave us his Holy Spirit as our Advocate, to partner as his hands and feet in his work of justice today.
Are you feeling nervous yet? Yeah. Us, too. These topics can be difficult and uncomfortable. When exploring the reality of injustice, it’s easy to feel discouraged, misunderstood, overwhelmed, defensive, or unfairly stereotyped because of our skin color, gender, or other things we have no control over.
Yet, this is obviously important work as we seek first the kingdom of God.
During these next 25 days, let’s walk together through this season of Advent as we prepare to embrace the expression of God’s love for all of humanity and creation through the birth of Jesus. Trust the Holy Spirit’s work in you. If you feel troubled, confused or perplexed, you are in good company with Mary as she heard the news that she would be the mother of the Prince of Peace.
We enter into this not as experts, but as people committed to continually listening, seeking, and challenging ourselves to see and interact with the world more as Christ does.
Jesus looked each person in the eye, saw them as valuable and forgiven, and asked them to follow him and join his work of healing, forgiveness, grace, and redemption. We pray that God will open our hearts and equip us to join in this work.
- If any of your friends, family, neighbors or coworkers would like to receive these 25 Steps emails, please email us at truthandjustice.union@gmail.com so we can add or remove you to/from the list.
Please note that the emails may initially go to your spam or promotions folder, so be sure to check those boxes! In Gmail, you can add truthandjustice.union@gmail.com to your contacts by clicking “More Options” in the upper right hand corner of the message, and then clicking “Add Sender to Contacts List” in the email header.”
Wishing you and your loved ones a meaningful holiday season.
—Beth and Sayuko
on behalf of Union's Truth & Justice Initiative
with special thanks to Kierstin for her resources and insight
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." Psalm 139:23-24