I like this. It is helpful to acknowledge the feeling “this isn’t fair!” And, to take it to God in prayer, to directly address God with this, asking for a sense of fairness and justice.
I have never heard of ‘fairness’ as being part of the meaning of the word ‘righteousness’ before.
Yes, we exist in the tension.
Agreed, often people’s search for justice ironically leads to conflict. War obviously being a prime example.
But, it also applies to every day to day life. Only just 30 mins ago I had a meeting at work where I shared that someone’s interpretation of social justice in a particular situation/circumstance, then following this passion through to its practical outworking for an individual teenager I am working with, will, ironically, actually harm her and put her at risk. Sadly, because the perfect world does not exists right now for this young person. Systemically, there is no solution, so we have to work with what we have got. She, we all have to work & live in the tension. Although the passion for social justice is the right sentiment, it can, at times, get misdirected.
I guess only true peace, true fairness, true righteousness can come from complete union, intimacy, reconciliation with God. Yes, we can lament, yes we can ask God in prayer, but we have to try to rest in the knowing the time isn’t fully yet, but a time WILL come…
One of my favorite Psalms. My "papa" said "I can't remember where but I have your next youth group devotional 'righteousness and peace have kissed each other'." He pointed out the intimate relationship that exists, the way righteousness prepares for a life of peace. I went on to explore and write about it further, eventually paraphrasing as "relationship done well and a state of well-being are intimately connected." I remember having an experience in a movie theater seeing a couple making out, their PDA made me uncomfortable. The word pictures are so beautiful in the psalm, peace does not kiss purpose or success. Righteousness goes before, prepares the harvest of well-being. People want the peace, they want the well-being, wholeness...but often they're fanning their fingers in front of their eyes "ew, gross" at the PDA intimacy between righteousness and that peace. Righteousness is about fulfilling the expectations of the relationship - it's more about what Mike Morrison calls "everydayness" than some big once-in-a-lifetime achievement. To live an everydayness that is "righteous" and done well takes time and preparation. I think righteousness is more about character development over time, habits, small moments of integrity, over and above the way we "face the music" on the biggest stages of life. Psalm 85 continues to haunt me in a beautiful way.
I like this. It is helpful to acknowledge the feeling “this isn’t fair!” And, to take it to God in prayer, to directly address God with this, asking for a sense of fairness and justice.
I have never heard of ‘fairness’ as being part of the meaning of the word ‘righteousness’ before.
Yes, we exist in the tension.
Agreed, often people’s search for justice ironically leads to conflict. War obviously being a prime example.
But, it also applies to every day to day life. Only just 30 mins ago I had a meeting at work where I shared that someone’s interpretation of social justice in a particular situation/circumstance, then following this passion through to its practical outworking for an individual teenager I am working with, will, ironically, actually harm her and put her at risk. Sadly, because the perfect world does not exists right now for this young person. Systemically, there is no solution, so we have to work with what we have got. She, we all have to work & live in the tension. Although the passion for social justice is the right sentiment, it can, at times, get misdirected.
I guess only true peace, true fairness, true righteousness can come from complete union, intimacy, reconciliation with God. Yes, we can lament, yes we can ask God in prayer, but we have to try to rest in the knowing the time isn’t fully yet, but a time WILL come…
Something to think about. Thanks.
One of my favorite Psalms. My "papa" said "I can't remember where but I have your next youth group devotional 'righteousness and peace have kissed each other'." He pointed out the intimate relationship that exists, the way righteousness prepares for a life of peace. I went on to explore and write about it further, eventually paraphrasing as "relationship done well and a state of well-being are intimately connected." I remember having an experience in a movie theater seeing a couple making out, their PDA made me uncomfortable. The word pictures are so beautiful in the psalm, peace does not kiss purpose or success. Righteousness goes before, prepares the harvest of well-being. People want the peace, they want the well-being, wholeness...but often they're fanning their fingers in front of their eyes "ew, gross" at the PDA intimacy between righteousness and that peace. Righteousness is about fulfilling the expectations of the relationship - it's more about what Mike Morrison calls "everydayness" than some big once-in-a-lifetime achievement. To live an everydayness that is "righteous" and done well takes time and preparation. I think righteousness is more about character development over time, habits, small moments of integrity, over and above the way we "face the music" on the biggest stages of life. Psalm 85 continues to haunt me in a beautiful way.