When the advocate of some form of justice says, “hey, if you don’t protest this or that, or fight for this or that cause, or don’t follow our narrative, you are therefore a racist,” what they are asking is not for us to love humanity, but to love their tribal agenda. Most times the same people cheering for some reform have no interest in other reforms, but they will crucify your ideology because you happen to not care as deeply and profoundly about theirs as you do yours.
Every culture has its particular struggles. In our country there are many reforms needed in every system: education, police departments, governments, the department of kale in Seattle, etc. Some of these deserve a chance to go into obscurity; others need a revamping and others a taste revival. But do not believe for a moment that certain ideologies want only your time. No, certain groups, especially prominent ones in our day, want your time and your convictions to follow their own. It’s the basic “no-neutrality” principle embedded in all of creation.
The Bible urges us to care for the least of these. Some will be called to particular tasks. The new mother should not feel guilt for not making it to the abortion clinic at 6AM because she is literally nurturing life at home. The young father who cares for his wife, serves his neighbor irrespective of color or tongue is not guilty for failing to attend a rally somewhere, the pastor who is faithfully shepherding his flock teaching them to love one another as Jesus loved, to contend for truth in the public square, and to condemn acts from any member who diminishes the value of an image-bearer is doing his job in word and in deed.
The modern call to take up social media and transform it into a guilt-manipulator for private causes, or that revolution in the streets is as important as regeneration in the Church, or that the only way to love someone who looks different than you is by purporting certain belief systems regardless of facts and civil discourse are another attempt to take the kingdom by force.
Service to God is multi-layered. Your rewards in heaven do not come because you protested for two hours (though it may be good and right), or because you attended an event where a prominent issue was discussed, or because you transformed your social media platform into a cause of choice; no, service to God comes in one thousand little acts of kindness and generosity and hospitality that affirm each person as creative embodiment of the Holy One. Justice, mercy and love don’t wait for grandiose spectacles; they are ready to act in the mundane.
The Fruit of the Spirit ………. all verbs aren’t they?