Justice and the Generosity of God… what next?

“The combination of justice and generosity captures the breadth of the Gospel. In the Gospel, God is making something right, restoring what was lost, acting justly. But He does it with great generosity. The Holy Spirit is forming us into the image of Christ for the sake of others. We will generously do justice— just like our father in heaven.” ~ David Hanke

Over these last two months we have listened, pondered and discussed God’s heart for the quartet of the oppressed, we have allowed the Holy Spirit to woo and coax us to think about how our individual and corporate response and we have wondered what is next. As you have engaged with this topic….

• What habits have you made or broken as you considered the call to allowing space for gleaning? For re-engaging more specifically with Sabbath?
• Where have you found yourself changing, growing, praying?
• Where has your heart expanded for the quartet of widows, orphans, sojourners and the poor?

Can I encourage you to not lose hold of the things you have marinated on these last weeks. Take some time to journal, reflect, carry on the discussions with friends inside and outside of our community. Invite your neighbors over for a cookout this summer and ask them what they think… and consider the changes you need to make in your life. Perhaps someone from your small group can hold you accountable?

We would love to know what you thought!

As we reflect on our response to ‘Justice and the Generosity of God’ we would love you to use this survey to send in your thoughts, ideas, growth points – either for your personal discipleship or for us as a community. And if you want to know how to engage with others in our community there are also suggestions of how to do so here or you can read more about our partners here.  And – specifically – if you are interested in helping with the Immigration Legal Aid Center idea – we would love to hear from you here!

And meanwhile, here are a few reflections from members of our small groups on this trimester….

• The entire justice series helped me to think about the way I view others, especially those who are in need.
• Making margin in my life has become a priority: I want to make space for others to glean
• So many, but one main takeaway is that while justice is doing for other people, it has to start with accepting the justice God has provided for me first.
• Remembering that God cares about justice, even in the petty differences and squabbles of my office, gives more dignity and meaning to my day-to-day life.
• We had an awesome conversation around Sabbath that has led to direct life changes and a transformed view of Sunday.
• The sermon series on justice has been a tough subject, but one that I am finding myself more aware of and therefore more prayerful about when I am seeing or hearing about injustices.
• Learning how to “make space for justice” and deal with injustice in my life was helpful. I also liked the idea of justice being both distributive and retributive.
• After the studies, my confessions were much deeper — informed by the inequities uncovered in my own heart esp. regarding the Jonah and Isaiah 58 passages

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. (Philippians 1:3-5 ESV)

Have a great summer!

~ Liz Gray