What Could Everyday Justice Look Like?
“He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” -Micah 6:8
God cares deeply about injustice. Injustice is the lack of fairness, an unjust act or occurrence. In the book of Micah we see injustice after injustice called out regarding what was happening at the time in Israel. Throughout Scripture we see the call for us to care deeply for the alien, orphan, and the widow.
Just last month, HuffPost came out with an article about rising homelessness: “Any increase in homelessness is heartbreaking, and we can see with our own eyes ― on the streets of LA and cities across California ― that the crisis has tightened its grip around the lives of too many of our neighbors.” Injustice is as prevalent today as it was in biblical times, but what can we do about it?
I don’t write about this to make anyone feel guilty, goodness knows we get enough of that. God cares about justice and for that reason God is prepared to walk with us on our everyday journey to, as Isaiah 1:17 says, “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
I don’t have all the answers, but I hope I can offer a few practical things that we can all do to partner with our God to love and pursue justice in our day-to-day lives.
#1 - Stay Informed
In order to oppose injustice, you need to know what’s going on. Pay attention to the news in your community and county. Read what God’s Word says about justice in the book of Micah - where His heart is and how He expresses that heart to the oppressed and downtrodden.
#2 - Pray
Pray for your neighbor, pray for your enemy, pray for your leaders. This is an important way to partner with and communicate with God about what’s near and dear to His heart - for you and the people around you. Pray for the things you are learning and reading about in Step #1.
#3 - Serve
What’s already being done in your community to alleviate a hurt or a need? CCV offers many opportunities, but you can find your own too. Even when you pass a homeless person on the street, you can take the time to look them in the eye, learn their name, buy a meal for them.
#4 - Give Generously
So many organizations and people are working in places where you can’t. Where is your surplus and where can it go? Find what inspires you, not guilts you, to give.
#5 - Be Active
Vote, vote, vote. Especially in local elections, where statistically your voice matters. Find out who is backing which candidates and laws and learn from trusted sources.
In the words of Pastor Eugene Cho: “Don’t just leave a trail of outrage, angry words, finger pointing, and cynical rants. Do something. Build something… more hopeful, beautiful, and just. Both in word and deed… keep pursuing God’s Kingdom. Compel us. Fascinate us. Invite us.”
Some of these actions require more time and effort than others. None of them can come from a place of obligation, but of living sacrifice to God, a desire for change, a move of love. I struggle with taking the time to do these things. So much. And it can get overwhelming with all the different causes and needs. You can’t help everyone, and it’s important to know that.
Help one person, and then the next person. Take it one step and person at a time. That one action can make all the difference, for that person and for you. One person. One God. One Life. Together.