Lenten Reflection by Terri Taylor
March 15, 2017
“Safe Space; Brave Space.”
Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another. But they refused to listen, and turned a stubborn shoulder, and stopped their ears in order not to hear. (Zechariah 7:9-11)
We know what God asks of us, what God has always asked of us. We also know, when we are at our best and most honest selves, that we often fall short. In these times it seems especially hard when so many of those with power we do not have make it even more difficult for the widow, the orphan, the alien and the poor.
What can we do? We can remember that every time we turn our stubborn shoulder or try to block our ears to the calls for justice, God does not stop speaking. Speaking through the prophets in scripture, speaking through our mission team, speaking in the words and songs and silence of worship, God continues to reach out to each of us. In our gathered community, God reminds us that no one is on this path alone. When we are in worship, in church meetings, with Open Spirit, and so many other places, we are with each other and with God. We gather a little bit more strength to turn back our shoulder to see the oppressed. We gain a little more courage to unblock our ears and hear the cries for justice. We practice in these safe spaces to reach out and lean on each other to be brave in the face of fear.
God of all ages and all creation, help us to hear and see your people, Do not give up on us when we turn away because, sometimes, that is the only way we can see to be safe. Remind us always of your love and care for us. Help us to be brave.