Crystal Clear

One of my colleagues was lamenting about the injustices she sees for the poor and she labeled it this way: “We develop economic systems on the backs of the poor.”

This seems to be true to me, and it also inherently unjust. But it just gets me back to my common floundering: how do we change the economic system?

I feel though by labeling it clearly, it is easier to work towards something different. By identifying the wrong, we can work to right it. As a Christian, I must be concerned with justice.

Trickle down economics are not working. The gap between rich and poor continually grows. Corruption is a factor in this. Greed disrupts the trickling. We do not seems to care for fellow people. Which is why human rights organizations and unions are needed.

Every now and then, we also see flare ups with civil uprisings which mean leaders are overthrown in the hopes to level the playing field. But those new leaders usually just replace the old with little change for the ‘little guy’.

If only there would be a minimum baseline for all people, world wide. But each country has sovereignty and would need to ‘police’ this themselves, and that is problematic.

There are many people, perhaps those who feel they are ‘enlightened’, who need to and do stand up to help others. But who decides who is enlightened, and who decides the issues to stand up on? Christians need to be part of this conversation.

Christians need to took a stand – and fight against systemic injustice at the macro level. Educate yourself and learn from others. Start making choices and advocate with others for justice. I’ve heard it said: we need to “think with our heart and feel with our brain.”

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I’m familiar with the thought that I am made in the image of God. That’s what makes me and all human being unique from other animals.

I also believe in the fairly unfathomable idea that God is triune – three persons in one: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.

But I’ve never really connected the two. I’m in the image of the three-in-one God. Relational and in communion. Unique and yet part of others.

Fully human, because fully in the image of God, when I’m in community.

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We all know in an abstract way each of us has faults. But, I think we’re pretty blind to most of them – I know I am. I’d like to think I am fairly aware and know myself, but it’s probably not true.

Living in community is supposed to a place where some of these faults can (and should) get more out in the open.

Are we ready the give and receive that kind of feedback?

I heard from our pastor that it’s our pride that holds us back from pointing out another’s faults, because we’re afraid they’ll do the same, and that’s a hard blow to our own pride.

Which means we haven’t crucified our old self, and our pride, yet. And so then we’re living under the law and not grace.

It’s a progression – crushed by the law, belief in Christ, crucified with him, dead to our old self, resurrection to our new self, and then living by the Spirit.  You can’t be living well by the Spirit if the old self is still not dead.

Get rid of pride and then communion with others is possible, and to our benefit!

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