At our first official gathering of Moms4Justice we started off by thinking back on how God brought each of us to a point where we cared about issues of social justice. What helped us to understand that being a Christian isn't just about our personal salvation and making sure we get to heaven one day, that includes far more? That it is about partnering God in His glorious plan to restore the whole world to the way that He originally designed it to be, to establish amongst us people His kingdom and all that this represents, for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Love, Justice, Peace.
It was fascinating to hear each other's stories of God's grace in bringing this revelation to our lives. Some hearts were transformed through watching their parents live out an authentic faith which included caring for those who were broken. One lady shared about her mother, a teacher, who would bring home some of the poorer pupils and give them a bath, food and lots of love. She remembers watching her mom sharing out her clothes with these children, realising that being a christian is about giving, sacrificing your time and love. What an example.
Another shared her how her parents faith-in-action was a springboard for her personal journey which lead her to joining a ministry team after school. She remembers a specific moment when God spoke to her directly about bringing hope to the youth of South Africa - planting a vision within her that would break her heart over social justice issues.
Some of us were shaped by our friends who were passionate about social justice. Being around people who live out their desire to see Jesus' love and restoration flow into people's lives is very infectious.
Being exposed to clear teaching on God's heart for the poor and His desire to see justice restored in communities and nations has helped a few of us conceptualise the longings and yearnings that God had been putting on our hearts.
God spoke to some of us through the Scriptures. One mother shared from Amos 5. Through this passage God had showed her that He cares more about our actions of justice, than the words we offer in song. Very challenging. Another read from Isaiah 61 - a powerful passage showing God's unquestionable concern for injustice.
One woman shared how God birthed in her such a holy discontent with her life and work; and gave her a deep longing for doing something that would impact this world positively, that she resigned from her job. Not sure what the future would hold but desparate for her faith to be lived out in a way that would make a difference. Bit by bit God put her into situations where she could partner those who were working for social justice.
We were all touched when a mother shared her story of experiencing injustice personally. She has a visual impairment and grew up facing injustice from teachers and children alike. At an early age she and her parents had to find ways to deal with the unfair treatment she experienced and the pain associated with it. She reminded us that injustice isn't only about being materially poor; there is brokenness in all of us. She also can bear witness that God can indeed heal the broken heart.
God uses many different ways to bring us to a place where our hearts break for the broken hearted, where we find ourselves angry at people being treated unfairly, and where we know in our heart of hearts that God can't stand it either. And where we have hope that He can bring restoration. We can trust that He will guide each of us as mothers to share this passion with our children in a way that makes sense to them.
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