I have often asked the question of freedom fighters, peacemakers, and activists, “How do you find hope in the face of so much that is so wrong?” In our session Friday, I found out for myself.
Despite the fact that each of our cohort is working on/care’s about different big problems, despite the fact that Dr. Ruth Padilla DeBorst informed me of more suffering I knew nothing about, despite staring into the fire hose of hardship happening in our world, I didn’t walk away burdened…I walked away lighter. (Perhaps this is what Jesus means when he talks about his yoke being light.) Not because its easy or doesn’t matter or even that we did anything to fix it on Friday, but to be gathered with such competent and inspiring people to learn and grow gives me great hope. The energy, intelligence, creativity and love that I agreed to serve with in my ordination was exemplified around that screen, and instead of feeling like I was swinging a machete in the jungle of tyranny alone, I realized there were many of us. And if this many came to this cohort, there must be many more. Surely the God who can make beautiful things out of dust can make change with these amazing humans.
We didn’t solve any problems, that I can see, in our time together. But we did encourage each other, learn that we aren’t alone, and something about that frees up imagination and possibility – maybe there really are answers, and maybe I can be…no, we can be…a part of them.
6 comments
Katy – This is such a beautiful reflection. It’s amazing how simply being in community with others who care deeply can lift the weight of the world’s brokenness. Hope doesn’t always come from fixing things immediately but from knowing we’re not alone in the work. Your words are a reminder that God moves through people, and together, real change is possible. Thank you for sharing!
Your words remind me how important it is to nourish that sense of hope (with others) because energy, imagination and courage come out of that. Sometimes I try to skip that step and jump into action… I feel like that will be one of the blessings of this group, it will help to make good soil where the seeds can grow strong and rooted in the earth. Thank you for these words, Katy!
Katy, your words refresh and inspire new hope in me! I wonder if we can use them as a fitting definition for the word “solidarity”?
Yes please. May we find it with each other, and may we find it with those suffering. I used to fear that would swallow me up and add to my suffering. But by some miracle, it does not. Perhaps the idea that spiritual gifts increase with use (in contrast to tangible ones decreasing) is real.
I felt the same thing. Such hope in gathering with big-hearted, clear-eyed Christians. Surely God can renew and birth beauty and justice as we work together. (I’m not able to see who posted this, and I’d love to know.)
It’s me. Hi. I’m the poster its me. 🙂
Good ingredients make a good stew. May it be so.