Meant for More
A call to pursue the justice of God
We have more.
I am often reminded to be thankful for my parents and their generations, their stories of hardship, risks, and sacrifices are often overlooked as a broken record. We often forget the fruit of their labor; the resource, security, and opportunties we benefit from day in and day out. We can also afford to fail more and experiment with our destiny. Changing careers, taking a year off school or work, staying in school for another decade, moving back home, our generation has options unlike any others.
Our potiential seems overwhelming, and we are bursting at the seam to do something great, or atleast that’s what we like to think of ourselves.
More right, more wrong.
Our generation is marked by movements. Movements that seem to give us purpose, an edge on the previous generations. We believe our educations have given us higher ethical values and moral standards, and our hearts long to use it to right this world. Irregardless of our beliefs we are a generation inflatuated with social justice.
But with any social initiatives we need a clear reason to act and a reference for justice. What are our motivations, and what are our standard of justice. Without an honest self assessment we are only a tool welded by someone else’s will, or worst yet, we become a hypocrite.
Today our generation participate in numerous social initiatives within our cities and across the world. We embraced them at the blink of an eye, reaching new donation and volunteering records, but we often avoid a serious dialog on why. Why do we want to do good? We often settle for simple refrains like “I feel like we needed to help.”, “It’s the right thing to do.”, “We have more so we should give to those in need.” But within these statements usually lies a flaw in our motives, they are usually self-centric. It is what “I feel like”, what “I deemed right”, and what “I have”. Justice as according to “I”.
The problem becomes clear when we realize a world where help will only be given when I’m emotionally engaged, or justice is dispensed only when I deemed it is correct, or I will only give if I have the resources to do so. “I” am obviously not a good reference point if true positive change is to be made in this world.
But what if 10 people were to be my reference point or if a thousand highly educated people were to decide on a standard? Would that make something right? Unfortunately history has taught us that no amount of “I” can set such standards, nor any higher educations or intellectual achievements. The Reich Main Security Office of Nazy Germany consist of 7 Ph.Ds out of 14, and 3/4 of the Einsatzkommando, the death squads, had passed their university exams with 2/3 completing a degree (1/3 of these had Ph.Ds) which includes law and humanities. Being smarter don’t make us righter.
Our generation’s deep desire for justice and their courage to act is something to affirm and encourage, but let’s make sure the compass in our heart is correct before we throw ourselves at a cause.
More of God.
If man does not fit the criteria for the standard of justice and if we are an inadequate source of motivation, then who or what is? It can only be one greater than creation itself. One that is incorruptible and absolute in righteousness.
The works of His hands are truth and justice; All His precepts are sure. — Psalm 111:7
As christians we believe and are convinced that the God of the Bible is a God of justice and righteousness. Throughout the history of the Israel His justice was not only celebrated in their lives, but were also commanded to practice. Their motivation is not a mere “I” but of “God”. God is just so I reflect His justice in this world. God has redeemed me and my freedom is to bring justice to others. God has given me more than I deserved and so I give no matter how much I have. God is the only viable motivation for true justice and we are to pursue Him as we bring about change in this world.
Many seek the ruler’s favor, But justice for man comes from the Lord.
— Proverbs 29:26
Unfortunately many of us have often forgotten their “first love” and have made social justice our idol. In our pursue to help others, we elevated our own righteousness above God’s. We had forgotten that only through Him can we dispense unbiased justice and deep social change; to change the heart of man and point it eternally upward toward the source of justice.
Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him.
— Isaiah 30:18
God’s standard of justice is also absolute and unyielding, so much so that He sent His one and only son Jesus Christ in order to redeem us from the wrath of His judgement. He proved that there is no greater reference point than Himself and at the same instance He displayed the greatest love, grace, and mercy, to all mankind.
He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way.
—Psalm 25:9
To act justly requires more than courage and boldness, but humbleness at the feet of an almighty God. It is not through self-righteousness but instead through the righteousness of the one who saved us. Don’t try to right the world by its shifting standards but instead stake our claim on the One that is eternal.
Our generation is meant for more, but not more of ourselves, our work, or our own sense of justice. It is the more of God.
Therefore, return to your God, Observe kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually. —Hosea 12:6
