Day 17 - First Steps: Organize

"A civilization is not destroyed by wicked people: it is not necessary that people be wicked but only that they be spineless."

-James Baldwin, The Fire Next Time, 1963


How little courage we have. How tightly we cling to our security. Baldwin knew this. In an essay titled "From Nationalism, Colonialism, and the United States" in 1961 he wrote, “The tragedy of this country now is that most of the people who say they care about it do not care. What they care about is their safety and their profits.” Will we follow the command of Christ to walk the road that leads to danger? Will we give away the things that hold us back - money, security, safety, power. Will we stand up with a straight spine to follow the call to discipleship?

Organize for racial justice in your local community. Lead your church to become a member of an Industrial Areas Foundation organization. Join a local chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) or the Black Lives Matter network. 
Visit: http://www.industrialareasfoundation.org/
http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/
http://blacklivesmatter.com/find-chapters/


Demanding God, I do not feel brave.

I feel afraid.

Cast out my fears.

Give me the spine of Christ – strong enough to resist the powerful, yet gentle enough to embrace the sinner.

Whatever I lack in being your faithful disciple, give to me.

I am desperate, Lord.

Amen.

Adam Hollowell