It’s Brave to Be Humble

It’s Brave to Be Humble - Week Two

Dear Fellow Justice Traveler,

At a time when throwing power and weight around is an acceptable posture, it’s hard to think about humility.

Forgetting the ways of God, disregarding the cause of the poor and creating a system that only looks out for yourself and those who have and hold power is completely against the heart of God. Yet, we see it right now in our society, in our houses of worship and our homes.

We sit content to allow fires to burn both literally and figuratively. We keep ourselves at a comfortable distance sharing how it’s just too big and overwhelming. Sometimes we shut down and try not to see. We say we leave it up to God but then we go on living as though it’s not our problem. Here’s the truth. It is our problem and the only way to see it and move toward it is with humility.

Here’s the truth. It is our problem and the only way to see it and move toward it is with humility.

Humility allows the enormity of injustice to move through our entire selves. It allows grief and lament to grip us. It provides us with a lens to recognize that all we think we are (good people) and all we think we have (good societies and systems) is often a result of exclusive efforts and greed.

It’s not uncommon to hear the church reference the prophet Micah and his words as a central point of focus for the importance of doing justice work to please God. “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). In this verse, I often wish that Micah’s list began with walking humbly.

Brave steps forward mean you leave your comfort and privilege. It means you see the truth of God’s heart, the ways in which humanity has gone astray, how you have gone astray. Brave steps are humble steps that intentionally choose to stay alongside those in need of justice. It’s moving from praying for hungry and hurting people and instead praying with them, and working in solidarity for change.

We can choose humility, gratitude, and conviction to change the status quo instead of becoming defensive, protective, and territorial. In following Jesus, we choose the humble way—emptying ourselves of our power and established place—join the people on the margins, always love mercy, and do the long, hard work of justice.

True service requires the bravery of choosing to be humble, to recognize the movement of loving mercy and doing justice has not been waiting for us to show up to demand attention. The movement needs our body, our solidarity, and our service. Intentionally choosing a humble place of service will result in a place of true honor and effective work.

Prayer:

God have mercy on us, your children. We cry out to you for justice. Lord, hear our prayers. For the poor, the immigrants, and all who are oppressed by injustice, have mercy. Help your church to not only cry out to you but to join you in doing the good work of loving mercy and doing justice. Above all, as we join, help us to follow your example of humbly coming to earth and pouring out your love for us. Give us courage to take brave steps forward with you. 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 2, Brave Steps.

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