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The Just Life is a 10-week journey of discovering, understanding, and responding to poverty that we hope will lead to a lifetime commitment to bring justice and mercy to our world. Even if you're not a part of our formal learning experience on Wednesday nights, join in the discussion!

Monday, March 1, 2010

Learning from Trials

OK, this hasn't been a life-altering trial, but the recent difficulty I've had with a simple document attachment reminded me of an important principle when confronting issues of justice and mercy.  If you've been checking your inbox recently, you've noticed an abundant amount of messages from me with faulty attachments (sorry!).  What should have been simple and efficient quickly became a test of endurance and persistence.

Our efforts to address individual and structural justice and mercy will test us in the same way.

Plunging into the waters of poverty and inequality is not a one-and-done thing.  We should not expect one letter, one cup of cold water, or one conversation to remedy the issue.  Can they make a difference?  Absolutely!  But it will take endurance and persistence to impact others for the long haul.

Whether you're working on a relationship with an individual struck by poverty or lobbying Congress on issues relating to injustice, don't get discouraged by a lack of short-term success.  Trust in God and His ability to take what little we have and turn it into a feast for many.  It will take time.  It won't be easy.  But in serving others, we serve Christ.

Well done.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

We must be relentless in our effort. Whst if our Lord only forgave us once, or decided our problems were too much. He no longer listen to our prayers. He quit after a few tries. ???
We would be without His love, forgivness, and hope.
Steve Osgood