He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8 NKJV
April 15th 2023 in the back of St. Moses Church in Baltimore, Maryland, US was the day that my understanding was illuminated regarding Justice and Mercy. I had heard these terms spoken before and depending on the source they took on new meanings each time.
When I came into Retreat 5 of the Coracle Baltimore’s Fellows program, Spiritual Formation For Kingdom Action, I understood that I was to treat people right (Justice) and that doesn’t mean that it’s what they “deserve” because of who they are and what they have or have not done, but because it’s right in the eyes of God (Mercy). I left that afternoon with a much more full understanding of what these words meant and how God was calling me to live these out day to day.
These quotes below were shared at the retreat, I am not clear on all of the sources but they were too impactful not to share:
“God has given us the means and responsibility to make this world what it needs to be. We can’t blame God for the evil we seeespecially if we are doing nothing to change anything.“
“We can walk in incremental change. As we walk, we can’t escape the shadow of death, but God is with Us!”
These quotes lit a fire in me! I have always had a passion to serve but to know that God has called me to be his light in the earth, to believe that he had already equipped me with what’s necessary to do the work, fueled my passion even more!
You see this is not just true for me or those of us that were at the retreat. This is true for us all. There is some way that God has called us to be a solution to a problem that we see. The injustices of the world.
I was so full after leaving this retreat that everything I spoke or thought was a prayer to God “how are you calling me to walk this out and Lord how can we share this message with others”. I prayed this prayer throughout the following weeks and one day God responded!
He shared a Soundings Seminar Series with me that would take us through defining what Justice and Mercy are in general, what Jesus says about them in the Bible, how can we respond to the need for them as they show up in our homes, community and work and last but not least how was God leading us to take action now!
Romans 8:19 tells us “ For the eagerly awaiting creation waits for the revealing of the sons and daughters of God.”
Matthew 5:14-16 tells us that “We are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
It is so fitting that our vision for 2024 is to be “The Light Shines in Darkness”! So in preparation to be the Light in the world that our Father in heaven created us to be, our Brother and Savior Jesus showed us and died for us to be and the Holy Spirit empowers us to be we will grow through the Journey of Justice, Mercy and Humility together.
We have a host of phenomenal Men and Women of God that will lead us along this journey! Please see below for the tentative schedule and be on the lookout in our newsletter for opportunities to register!
Justice Mercy and Humility | The Cloud of Witnesses – January 11, 2024 at 7pm
Kristy Wallace-Grant and Jim Emrich
Justice Mercy and Humility | Bible – January 18, 2024 at 7pm
Bill Haley Rev. Dr. Kendrick Curry and Rich Dean Esq.
Justice Mercy and Humility | The Authentic Apology Part 1 – February 1, 2024 at 7pm
Rev. Chris Lugo and Author Wade Mullen
Justice Mercy and Humility | The Authentic Apology Part 2 – February 29, 2024 at 7pm
Bill Haley and Bishop Todd Hunter
Justice Mercy and Humility | Home, Community and Work – March 14, 2024 at 7pm
Dr. Scott Buresh and George Hopkins
Justice Mercy and Humility | Hearing from God – April 18, 2024 at 7pm
Terry Timm and Tracy Mathews
Justice Mercy and Humility | Kingdom Action – May 16, 2024 at 7pm
RILA – Restoration Immigration Legal Aid