Listen

Take away the noise of your songs; I won’t listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Amos 5:23-24

Think

A paraphrase of Amos 5:24 is inscribed on Martin Luther King’s memorial in Atlanta: “We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” Those words should inspire us to notice when people are being treated unjustly and to raise a righteous voice in protest.

They also make us reflect: Do we participate in religious activities, but NOT embrace justice and righteousness in our behaviors? Do we stand silent while someone new or different is bullied, or do we take up their cause and stand with them? Are we constant like an ever-flowing rush of justice and righteousness, or are we an intermittent trickle?

Speaking up about justice and righteousness takes us out of our comfort zone. MLK knew that and kept going, speaking up on behalf of the voiceless. For whom should we raise our voices? There are many who suffer injustices daily. Let us step out of our comfort zones this season and be God’s agents in creating an ever-flowing stream of justice and righteousness.

Gail Jackins

Pray

Thank you God for examples such as Martin Luther King. Help me be an ever-flowing stream for your justice and righteousness. Please be my comfort as I step out of my comfort zone. Amen.

Go

Let’s put our love into action.

“They’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”

Peter Scholtes, “They’ll Know We Are Christians,” 1966