"Just as 'believers' are a dime a dozen in the church, so are 'activists' in social justice circles nowadays. But lovers are hard to come by. And I think that's what our world is desperately in need of -- lovers, people who are building deep, genuine relationships with fellow strugglers along the way, and who actually know the faces of the people behind the issues they are concerned about."-- Shane Claiborne, The Irresistible Revolution (p. 295)
I like how Shane talks about the revolution he is part of -- a group of people falling "desperately in love" with God and with people who are suffering, and who allow that love to change their own hearts.
It seems to me that our believing and our action -- both so important -- need to be steeped in and shaped by that kind of love if they're to have any staying power. It's a kind of love that echoes and reflects God's lavish, deep, suffering and transformative love for us, his people.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
"...what our world is desperately in need of..."
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2 comments:
"What the world needs now is love, sweet love, no, not just for some, but for everyone..." I agree. And really getting to know people makes it so much harder to disregard their struggles. Empathy is definitely something worth fostering...
You got it! One reason I like Shane's book is that he's so honest about critiquing both the more conservative church folks and the more liberal activists (he's been part of both). He suggests, I think, that it's easy for both groups, well-intentioned as they might be, to fall into a common failing: putting 'issues' before people and relationships.
We're so good at messing up even the simplest things...like loving our neighbor! I'm glad God is patient with us!
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