May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships
So that you may seek truth boldly and live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them
And to turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world;
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done,
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.
Amen.
I came across this prayer a few years ago; it’s haunted me ever since.
As humans we have a tendency to avoid hard things, painful things. Confusing things. Difficult things.
But as followers of Jesus Christ, may our eyes see what He sees. May our hearts break with what breaks His heart. May we weep with the things that cause Him to weep. And in so doing, may we find the courage and faith to step forward and make a difference in this world.
“The Lord has shown you what you must do, and what He requires of you:
Micah 6:8
But to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”