Justice
There is something deep in all of us that desires justice. Whether it is the Holy Spirit dwelling within us or the fact that God created us in such a way that we long for justice, I do not know.
I don’t understand the “Occupy” or the “Tea Party” movements enough to pass judgment – yet both seem to be crying out against perceived injustice. I watch thousands in our city streets crying out against the 1% – telling me the system is fixed and that it is not just. I watch thousands march in Washington telling me that the system is broken and that it is not just. I read books that explain how taxing the rich is just and I read books that explain how taxing the rich is not just. They confuse me. Is this really injustice?
In February 2006, Bono gave a speech at the National Prayer Breakfast. He said something that struck me, “It’s not about Charity, it’s about Justice.” It is clear to me that it is not just that children in Cambodia are deserted because their parents can’t care for them. It is not just that children are dying in Tibet because they have congenital heart disease and their parents can’t afford surgery. It’s not just that children in Myanmar have to dig in trash to find food to eat. I was reading that an estimated 9 million children under the age of 5 will die this year. Many of these children will die of preventable causes. This is not just. Why do you give? Do you give because deep down inside you long for justice? Why do you pray for these children? Is the Spirit of God crying out within you – longing for justice? It’s really not about charity – it’s about justice.
In the same speech that February morning, Bono said something else that challenges me, “stop asking God to bless what you’re doing. Get involved in what God is doing — because it’s already blessed.” Use your business; use your life, to promote justice. God is moving, get involved.
Jeff Meyer
Jeff and his wife, Stacy, own Abednego Coffee Roasters, a company that exists to help bring hope to a dying world. They utilize coffee as a means to provide funding to Christian organizations that share this common objective. Twenty-five percent of all sales go directly to non-profit organizations that help provide for the spiritual, physical and intellectual needs of children around the world. www.abednegocoffee.com
