Why do prophets do what they do?
As we wrap up our series, “Holy Troublemakers and the Arc of Justice,” we might wonder. We have heard stories of the call and experiences of Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Elijah, and Moses. In each story they have been called to a task that is far beyond their abilities, and that involves challenging the religious and political power structures of the time. In each story they struggle to accept their call. Once they do so, they experience strong reactions and resistance to their message. Often they fear for their lives. Yet, each of them perseveres and their stories of faith still inspire us today.
Why? It would be much easier to stay quiet, to go with the flow, to retire and move somewhere warm and sunny. But each of them perseveres in order to speak and enact the message that God has given them. Even after running for their lives they return to places of danger to continue the work they have been called to.
They do so because they have caught a glimpse of a vision that is so compelling and true that they are willing to endure the sacrifice and pain of what they must give up in order to gain something much better, not just for themselves, but for all people, especially those who have been excluded. It is God’s vision of beloved community. It is a place where justice, righteousness, and peace are available to all freely and equally and everyone does their part to make it possible.
And while we as humans often think this is unattainable and decide that it is best to simply take care of ourselves and make sure that we and our group have these things, God continues to believe that beloved community is possible. God sent the prophets, and then Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and continues to send prophets to us today who call us to God’s vision of beloved community, or as Jesus put it, God’s Kingdom/Kin-dom “on earth as it is in heaven.”
Holy Troublemakers catch a glimpse of this vision, cling to it, and continue to work for it even when there is doubt and resistance. They continue to insist that it is possible if we are willing to work together to realize the vision, because it’s not our vision, it’s God’s, and God will make a way.
This weekend we turn to Isaiah 55, a vision of the beloved community, that continues to inspire us even today to join in the work of the prophets for justice and to claim the role and responsibility of being a holy troublemaker for ourselves.
Blessings,
Suzanne