Seeking Justice Obediently

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

“Good morning, do you have a moment?”

My friend’s greeting accompanied her quiet knock on her manager’s office door. And at his invitation, she stepped inside, silently praying that Jesus would guide her next words.

Their department had a Jewish employee, and her manager had scheduled an after-work meeting on what was an important holy day on the Jewish calendar. My friend knew it was an unintentional oversight, but she also knew her Jewish coworker was unlikely to say anything but felt—once again—like an outsider. So she, as a follower of Jesus, had the slightly awkward conversation with her manager, explaining the situation and gently encouraging him to note Jewish holidays when scheduling future events, which he immediately agreed to do.

As daughters of the living God, we need to be sensitively outspoken in situations involving inclusion and justice of all kinds. If I want freedom of religion, shouldn’t I support it for my coworker of another faith? If I want opportunities based on my experience and knowledge without being disqualified or discounted because I am a woman, shouldn’t I want the same for my Black colleague? If I am part of the dominant culture, don’t I have an obligation to be protective of those who are treated differently simply because they are not part of that culture?

This has nothing to do with politics from the right or left. We are required to be just, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. When we speak up for the widows, orphans, foreigners, and others, people cannot help but notice Jesus in us, in part because it’s countercultural to align with the least powerful. My friend’s quiet conversation on behalf of her colleague opened the door for future conversations around faith, building relationship and creating an invitation for her to freely speak about Jesus later.

Do not discount the power of your witness to colleagues, neighbors, and family as you live out today’s verse. When confronted with exclusion (intentional or not) or injustice, I want my response to proclaim Jesus’ love so loudly that others cannot help but be drawn toward him. And I gratefully entrust the rest to God, knowing that I’ve done my small part in obedience.

Julie

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Prayerfully consider what obedience looks like for you in living out Micah 6:8.