Hey, I have a question for you. When you think of the word 'justice', what comes to your mind? Do you believe God is just? Is it something you wrestle to understand at times? Let's talk about it!
I am reflective of that this morning, and I wanted to share a time I had to navigate the weight of injustice while on the mission field this past summer. For those who don't know, Marquis and I have been building a family relationship with two girls in the Dominican Republic. We would be referred to as their godparents. Over the years, we have spent time writing letters and visiting them in the city of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic.
For the first time ever, this past summer, I was able to see the area they lived in and the conditions it was in. We got off the bus, and I didn't realize how hard it was going to be for me to see where they had been living all these years I have known them. It was hard to see the river they bathed in that was full of trash, while also knowing it is the very river that causes floods. As I walked further into the village, we began to pray, and I knew that only the strength of the Lord could help me navigate the area. It was more in my heart than just the smiles they had and the houses they lived in; it was also that I had some hard questions for God in the moment. These sweet families that are a part of the ministry program we served in all week were all around the village, and I had no clue it was the space the children had lived in all these years.
It felt unjust. It felt like I wanted to be able to do more about it. In my eyes, the village deserved better from the government. Injustice is accounted for as a wrong or unfairness. When was the last time you witnessed something unjust? Perhaps, we can look around and see where the hands of injustice occur. It is occurring in our nation (USA) through violence and oppression. It is occurring in nations like Nigeria, where thousands of Christians are dying because of their faith. It is occurring in our families, where it has caused division and heartache to others. Injustice is happening all around, and as a believer, my job is to care while not carrying it all; that is why we have the hand of the Lord daily. Yes, we need both faith and action, and for that to happen, everyone has the play their part in how God is leading them to serve broken and hurting people. Our faith as Christians was never meant to be muzzled, as there is Good Gospel News attached to it.
To shorten the story, I left the village with a lot of hope as God helped me see that rivers of life were flowing in their land. Business owners were giving us coconuts, kids were laughing, women were getting their hair braided, and others were attending to their homes. What the world calls injustice, God has a promise to be with us in the face of adversity and hardship. The world can be a weighty place to be, but it is not without God's heart.
Amos 5:24 says, "But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!" God stands for holiness, righteousness, and justice, and there are things in this life that He wants to accomplish until Christ returns. What we deem as devastation is not always a lifeless situation.
And I will say, I can't wait to go back to visit the grandmother who prayed over us after we prayed inside her home. The grandmother whom I know will be petitioning the Heavens on behalf of her village and placing her hope in Christ alone.
What can God do with the injustice you feel or face in this lifetime? He can show you how to be His hands and feet, but you have to be willing to talk to him first, allow him to respond, and see if there is a course of action he desires for you to take in obedience, not by feelings. We are living in a time where people are trying to fight injustice in a worldly way. Hearts are bitter, angry, unforgiving, and anxious, which is giving a sinful response to solve earthly problems, and honestly, it is just not working. We may not be able to control the response of others, but we surely can be mindful of our own. That is not always easy to do; we need the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to bear the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
The world needs bold, uncompromising, and courageous believers who are willing to stand on the Gospel truth that sets people free on the inside. Take care, that is all the writing I have for now. As always, you can write me anytime! :)
Here are scriptures on injustice:
"Therefore, the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him." Isaiah 30:18
"He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord." Psalm 33:5
"For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them." Isaiah 61:8
Upcoming Harris on Mission Things:
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Bible Study Fellowship:
Have you heard about Bible Study Fellowship? A parachurch ministry that has the heart to equip Sons and Daughters in the word, deeply. I would love to chat if anyone is interested in finding a BSF local site. It’s not about what church one is rooted in, it’s about staying rooted in Christ, daily. This year I joined leadership to lead small group and so excited to see how my children will also grow through this year's study!
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Church Planting in Grandview, MO (South of Kansas City):
We are in our 10th month of planting Mission 418 Church. We are praying for the region with steadfastness as God continues to build His work. Would you be interested in learning more about the heart of this work in this region? Marquis and I are continutally prayerful about meeting the needs of families in the community through the Gospel.
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I’m not here to tell you to live on mission like my family, but I am here to encourage you that it is possible. We are here to champion you to live on mission! (Feel free to message me back anytime).
