Sojourner

I found this interesting article written by Cathleen Falsani. I know nothing about who published or even who wrote it.

Christianity promises, by grace and through faith, that believers will spend eternity with God, in paradise. But many of us believers have become so obsessed with who gets into heaven—and who doesn’t—and how, that we have missed a central question of the gospel: How are we to live this life, here and now?

Any careful reading of the New Testament must lead us toward working for justice for all. We not only are called to address the physical needs of the poor and the sick, we must also recognize and work to change the societal injustices that contribute to poverty, disease, and any sort of disenfranchisement.

Social justice is a virtue.

"Character is a slowly forming thing,” N.T. Wright says. “You can no more force character on someone than you can force a tree to produce fruit when it isn’t ready to do so. The person has to choose, again and again, to develop moral muscles and skills which will shape and form the fully flourishing character.”

By developing virtue within ourselves, we can change the world. Qualities such as love, joy, gentleness, generosity, courage, and self-control are infectious. Just as a little leavening can make many loaves of bread rise, the virtue of even a few can elevate the many."

My heart is stirred. I want more.

Vine, brances. Root me in the Lord, water me with community.
Teach me to love, teach me to sing. Teach me to serve.
My God open my ears to hear and my eyes to see.
Put your servants hands to work, cultivate this gravel.
Let the land bear fruit; let them taste and see your goodness.
My brain is filled with questions; my God, tell me your truth!
I wish the world wasn't so broken; thank God I have you.
Interpersonal God, transcendent and immanent, please
don't relent your love.