A Cool Cup of Water
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Isaiah 42:1-4
Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not fail or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.
My walking buddy and I have really gotten back on track – we’re planning to walk every Monday through Friday this summer. We’ve had a very full and introspective week of walks thus far. Social justice has been one of our topics of conversation, as has our own involvement in the lives of those around us. We both seem to embrace the big picture issues and feel somewhat inadequate to solve all the world problems – like world peace and an end to hunger in the world – and our lacking in providing a solution to either. Yes, we think big, dream big, live big! What I discovered (I won’t say “we” as I don’t want to speak for my buddy) is that I forget/fail to focus on the areas of need in my own little piece of the world.
Social justice isn’t just about a country half way around the world, or even downtown where the poor are so underserved. It’s about not making assumptions about people, and taking the time to hear their story, and intentionally reaching out to them. That’s a lot tougher. It requires our actually taking action, subjugating ourselves, and taking a risk. In order to live up to these verses from Isaiah, we must stoop to wash the feet of those in our world. We enter each conversation with the intent of hearing the other, not as an opportunity to talk about ourselves (that’s a real growth area for me!)
I think of Mother Theresa when I read these verses. She quietly, deliberately went about doing the work she was called to do. She didn’t want or expect any thanks, any admiration, any praise from anyone in this world. I have a feeling she didn’t think what she was doing was so remarkable – but rather what one does when called. Humility is not a quality most of us possess. At the healing prayer conference I attended a couple of months ago one of the speakers identified for us how we view and interact with others when we have an attitude like the one Isaiah describes. “You first. Have a cup of water.” It’s really that simple. Put others before ourselves, and meet their needs, if possible.
We can only bring forth justice to the nations one person at a time. It’s not something we can accomplish with armies or laws or by force. It must be done quietly, with humility, one person at a time. That takes work. It takes effort. It takes action. But we are not left to our own resources in this act. The Spirit is upon us.
My prayer today is that you work to bring about justice in the world one person at a time. And that you offer a cool cup of water to everyone you meet.
Mary
