A Dream of a World Made New
By Diana Bruce
In a world made new, everyone finds their place at the table of activism. Websters defines activism as “a doctrine or practice that emphasizes direct vigorous action especially in support of or opposition to one side of a controversial issue.” I guess at Pilgrims, we stir up controversy every week … we curb hunger among the homeless, fight genocide, demand affordable housing for our neighbors, and let bunnies get to know kids with two mommies. We raise funds for peacemaking around the world and pay our pastors and staff a living wage.
In a world made new, everyone stirs up controversy in their own way – big and small, globally and locally. They fight for safer schools and better education in their children’s school, they seek health care access for all and not just those who can afford it, they wear a condom and they encourage their friends to do the same, they put a recycling bin next to the copy machine at work, they get their college campus’s health center to carry emergency contraception, they stay up late helping a child with algebra homework, they ask for HR policies inclusive of transgender people, they write a letter, they run for office.
In a world made new, parents who strive to live in God’s way understand their responsibility to raise and nurture change agents –little people who grow into big people who love. And this love overflows into all their work and pleasures. Their love extends into the world and politics, and they use their love to make a new world. This new world receives God’s love and implements God’s values of hope, love, peace, joy and justice for everyone, everywhere. In a world made new, all children have a rainbow flag bolted to their Sunday school wall … not just our children at Pilgrims.
