Filling in my blank: (6) Do Justice

I shared here the beginning of a journey, to fill in the blank of a life goal penciled in awkward cursive nearly 22 years ago. (I’d be honored if you’d take a moment and read that initial post which communicates my heart on this topic.) I shared here about walking through the Real.Life.Exhibit last summer, shaken to the core, reeling, asking God what we could possibly do to help.  I shared here about an eye-opening experience with regards to the mundane affairs of food, diet, and budget, and how even the foods that we eat can cause great impact around our world. And then here I shared about my Tipping-Point, reading The Hole in our Gospel and realizing the enormous potential we had for touching the world with the gospel of grace through a generous life.  And finally, here I shared about our decision to put our house up for sale, and although it has not sold yet, we continue to be excited about what God is doing in our hearts and wallets and world.

Of course, as I’ve said in each post, this journey has no end.  But I set out initially with the simple goal of filling in my blank, that is figuring out, in a brief few words, how God wanted me to live in relation to my world. Well, my blank is filled in word, though it will take the rest of my life to fill in deed. The simple answer comes straight from God’s Word in Micah 6:8:

Do justice.

I just finished a book by Timothy Keller, Generous Justice. Where The Hole in our Gospel powerfully compels us to action, focusing primarily on international aid, Generous Justice helps us make sense of the call to social justice and how it is inextricably linked to the gospel of Christ. Keller focuses more on the starting point of justice–our own neighborhoods and cities.  Keller also does an excellent job addressing criticisms launched by both the secular world and the conservative evangelical community. He addresses the myriad causes of injustice and poverty, from a biblical perspective, and demonstrates the three-fold way to do justice: Through relief, development, and social reform.

I’ll admit it’s all a bit overwhelming.  I’m sitting here, a stay-at-home mom of two preschoolers, in my giant suburban house that I can’t sell, wondering what it looks like to do justice right here in my home. Giving is a great start and that we’re doing, but Keller really highlights the need to do justice personally, relationally. Justice skin-on-skin. And while there are certainly no homeless folks in my neighborhood there is still plenty of justice that can be worked if we took the time and energy to be creative.

Keller finishes his book with a thought-provoking discussion on Peace, Beauty, and Justice. Here he fleshes out what it truly means to do justice, through seeking physical, social, and spiritual Shalom, and through creating beauty and justice, which takes our eyes off ourselves and glorifies our God.

Bottom line? Sponsoring children isn’t enough. Giving away our money isn’t enough. Selling our home isn’t enough.  Buying local, sustainable, or fair-trade food isn’t enough. But that’s just it.

None of it is enough.  That’s the whole point.

True justice is a justice simply inspired by the grace of God. Only grace can inspire in us a true justice–one that gets close, cares, one that is tirelessly devoted to seeking the peace of the people in our sphere. God has already finished the work, so we simply work toward the goal of spreading around all the glorious grace to as many people as possible. So my goal with regards to the world, simply put?

Do justice.

The hard part is the doing. I don’t expect to figure all that out right away, but I’d love to share bits and pieces as they become clear.

And although it’s overwhelming, I’m thankful to have a wonderful Example to lead the way. Thank you, Jesus.