After months of enduring the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders, those of us in the USA have been brutally reminded of the deeply seeded racism that still divides our country. We are tired. We are outraged. We are confused. We are angry. We are sad. We need change. We need salvation. We need transformation. We need Jesus.

The other night my family watched Just Mercy, a movie about Bryan Stevenson, a young lawyer representing innocent men on death row who never received proper justice. It deals with issues of racism, the death penalty, and injustice. It was difficult to watch. As the movie credits rolled, my wife picked up her bible and read from Isaiah 58. God tells Israel that they are oppressing others, fighting others, and doing whatever they want. Then they act religious and fast. God won’t have it.

“Isn’t this the fast I choose: releasing wicked restraints, untying the ropes of a yoke, setting free the mistreated, and breaking every yoke? Isn’t it sharing your bread with the hungry and bringing the homeless poor into your house, covering the naked when you see them, and not hiding from your own family? Then your light will break out like the dawn, and you will be healed quickly. Your own righteousness will walk before you, and the LORD ’s glory will be your rear guard.”
Isaiah 58:6-8

We need to repent. I need to repent. Of oppressing others through improper action and/or inaction. Of doing whatever I want without regard for others. Of allowing injustice and being passive. Of being religious and not righteous. We need to stand for justice. We need to usher in God’s righteous kingdom. We need to fight oppression, death and injustice. We need to break old yokes that are holding others back. We need to end prejudice and racism. We need to unite as one body, one people, one family of God.

We cannot fight this battle alone. And we are not alone. God is bringing his kingdom come every single day, and allows us to partner with him to bring freedom, value, justice and unending love.

Jesus said, “I’ve said these things to you so that you will have peace in me. In the world you have distress. But be encouraged! I have conquered the world.”
John 16:33

I’m reminded of ServLife’s Vision statement: ServLife International envisions the Gospel bringing spiritual and physical restoration and healing in the most marginalized regions in the world.

May we be a people with the humility to learn, convicted hearts of repentance, and commissioned lives to bring transformation. May we remain passionate for justice and bring holistic restoration and healing to our homes, neighborhoods, cities, countries and world. This is the journey of ServLife’s global community, and we are grateful to have you as a part of this justice-minded community. Let us continue to work to bring hope, equality and justice to others in the name of Jesus Christ.