Loose the chains of injustice

As I just wrote, it's past time for me to speak up (if you haven't read it, go do so)

This week I've read about to many injustices ...

bombings/terroristics attacks in Istanbul and Baghdad and Medina
the abductions then deaths of an IJM lawyer, driver and client in Kenya
additional victims of police violence
and now THIS in Dallas!

These things come on the heels of other events like the Orlando Massacre and Stanford swimmer's lenient sentencing for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman.


I'm outraged by these events. I'm tired of hearing about them happening. There seems to be so little progress and so much lament.
Jeremiah 6:14 and 16 run through my head:

They dress the wound of my people
   as though it were not serious.
'Peace, peace,' they say,
   when there is no peace.

This is what the Lord says:
 "Stand at the crossroads and look;
    ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
   and you will find rest for your souls.
   But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'

Along with Psalm 13 and Habakkuk 1.


This time around Isaiah 58 is also running through my mind.


A couple weeks ago in youth group we were using this passage to talk about discovering sabbath delight.  At one point we ask the teens if they could see possible connections between the practice of justice in daily life and delight on the sabbath day. After giving them some time to consider, discuss it between themselves, and share their answers, I shared.
I shared that I unfortunately don't see much justice in my daily life ... I see too much injustice. So instead of delighting, I find myself lamenting.
I want to see more connections between justice and delight on the sabbath day.
It means we need to act.
We need to humble ourselves (58:4), loose the bonds of wickedness, undone the straps of the yoke, let the oppressed go free, break every yoke (58:6), feed the hungry, house the homeless, cover the naked (58:7)
We cannot sit idly by when these things happen.
If we fight for the oppressed, we will begin to see healing! (58:8)

Yes, keep praying for peace and justice, keep lamenting the violence and injustice, but don't stop there.  Recognize your privilege, have uncomfortable conversations, take steps to lose the chains of injustice in your area ...
   In Mechanicsburg, West Shore E-Free Church has an after-school ministry to kids living in Cumberland Pointe. There are other opportunities to work for justice in the area - places like Bethesda Mission, Central PA Literacy Council, or Paxton Ministries.
    In Grand Rapids there are countless awesome non-profits/churches involved in justice work - Baxter Community Center, New City Neighbors, Cook Library, Degage ... I could go on.

It doesn't matter, just SPEAK UP and GET INVOLVED

What are you willing to sacrifice to create a more just society?