Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, ‘I am only a boy’; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you, Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.’”
NL Daily Devotion for Thursday, November 14, 2024
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Sometimes speaking up is terrifying. My daughter struggles with mental health issues that sometimes affect her ability to show up and “adult.” She’s had lots of great support over the years, but is now striving for greater independence, and she’s keeps running up against her own fear of advocating for herself. She is terrified of getting in trouble, being shamed for her limitations, ultimately failing. So, more often than not, she keeps quiet until things blow up, which almost never works in her favor.
God calls us not just to advocate for ourselves, but to advocate for others—people whose challenges we might not be able to fathom. For example, as a white, middle-class, cisgendered, heterosexual, Christian woman, I am still called to work for justice for BIPOC, people living in poverty, people in the LGBTQ+ community, and non-Christians. On the one hand, I’m going to stick my foot in my mouth and need to ask for forgiveness and work to learn better. On the other hand, I’m going to piss off people who are bent on working against justice for these communities. In either case, I can’t let fear keep me from speaking up. Jeremiah had some seriously dark words for God’s people, and no one liked him. Of course he was afraid. But God was with him—and is with us—when he spoke truth to power.
Loving God, keep your promise to be with me to deliver me when my work for justice is met with hostility. Amen.
