Today’s word prompt at the Five Minute Community is “stay.” I wondered at this word. I knew I could write about “stay” about walking with Jesus: staying with Him and in His presence. This concept sounds so spiritual, but in the context of what is happening in society, I seek to dig deeper.
“Stay” could also apply to the definition of insanity that I heard from the pulpit years ago. If we stay where we are at in our country and do not look inward and examine ways we can improve and reach out to the oppressed and poor, the change we need to heal our land will never happen. A pastor in a sermon defined insanity as continuing to do the things we have always done and expecting the same results. Social justice is a theme covered in-depth in scriptures. Jesus preached social justice in the Sermon on the Mount, also called The Beatitudes. Most people can recite these scriptures. We know them by heart.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, or they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The scriptures many do not know are even more forceful about social justice in society.
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” – Isaiah 1:17
“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” –Psalm 82:3
“Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right.” – Psalm 106:3
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” – Proverbs 31:8-9
“Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.” – Proverbs 28:27
Curing injustice and racism in the United States means we need to stop the insanity.
This is a good word, Mary.
Thank you for your heart.
Michele Morin recently posted…Get Used to the Idea of Abundance
The Beautitudes are a good place for us to ground ourselves!
Tara,
Thanks for stopping by.
Mary
Mary Hill recently posted…#LMMLinkup: An Apology for Not Showing Love of Christ
Well written and well put ? – a fellow fmfer #4
Thank you so much for your support and encouragement.
” If we stay where we are at in our country and do not look inward and examine ways we can improve and reach out to the oppressed and poor, the change we need to heal our land will never happen. ” yes, such good words. thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for your support and encouragement.
Mary Hill recently posted…The Concept of “Stay” and Insanity
Thank you so much for your support and encouragement.
Mary Hill recently posted…The Concept of “Stay” and Insanity
Black lives do not matter,
nor white, nor blue, nor red.
After all the chatter,
they’ll all be equal – dead.
What counts is what they died for,
what counts is why they came,
what counts is just the final score
attaching to the name
that they carried through their days,
for it’s thus that they are known;
the end is what will earn them praise
or give cause to atone,
for it matters how we faced the strife,
and are written in Lamb’s Book of Life.
Andrew Budek-Schmeisser recently posted…Your Dying Spouse 761 – The Looter In The Mirror {Five Minute Friday}
best perspective I have read regarding this topic, Andrew. thank you!
So true. We need to live our lives for Christ and spread His truths. We cannot reach the lost if we do show Agape love.