A New Way Forward - Week One

Read: Luke 4:14-30 & Isaiah 43:1-11, 16-19.

Dear Fellow Justice Traveler,

The past several months my blood pressure has been changing for the worse. My lifestyle and health have not changed, so when I began to see it become elevated, my doctor and I thought it might be a fluke. Yet, day after day, week after week, and now month after month, it has remained high, creating some distress and concern. What is happening?

Genetics aside, I have come to realize that the stress of this moment in history, walking alongside neighbors, family and friends who live under the threat of detention and deportation is impacting me physically. I am feeling this secondary trauma at a cellular level and the bad news is unrelenting. From headlines to personal conversations, there are deep levels of trauma all around. You may be experiencing trauma too. In the midst of the pain, the need for good, restorative news to keep going in the face of resistance is palpable.

From headlines to personal conversations, there are deep levels of trauma all around.

The gospel, or good news, of Christ is a restorative work. The liberating power of the gospel puts us in right relationship with God, and as agents of his salt and light in the world, he invites us to join him in reconciling all things to himself. This restoration of all things goes well beyond the spiritual realm and encompasses a commitment to holistic restoration including emotional, mental, and physical restoration. This is the good, restorative work of the kingdom.

Jesus’ radical message of a new kingdom defied power, religious practices, and superiority. He came with purpose. Evidenced in humbly coming to earth, he demonstrated for us a new way forward, weaving together the justice of God with the sacrificial love of Christ.

Our lives have purpose, too. Even in times of deep distress, we can step forward with confidence that the Spirit of Christ is with us. He will open our eyes and ears to this truth: God is always on the move - and - He is doing something new!

Despite what we see or hear, God remains relentless in His pursuit to restore and redeem the world that He loves. No one is too broken, no landscape too bleak. Since the beginning of time He has and continues to push out darkness with His Light.

As we continue to step into all that He has for us in this moment, can we see and perceive what He is doing? Will we allow Him to use us in new ways to move forward His justice and righteousness?

Prayer:

Father God, have mercy on us, your people. Help us to keep walking forward with faith. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear the new ways you are revealing your Light in this present darkness. Thank you for your good news and for continuing to do new things in me and the world you created and love so much. Amen.

Praying for Strength to Endure,
~Michelle

This devotional series was written by Michelle Ferrigno Warren. Excerpts and themes are from Join the Resistance, Chapter 1, Walking In.