I keep thinking about Saul before he became Paul. I think about how he terrorized God’s people and put them in chains. But mostly I think about how he thought he was right. That he believed that he alone understood what it looked like to follow God.
I think about how it took a flash of Christ’s love to first blind Saul and then remove the scales from his eyes.
And I wonder what that flash of love would look like today.
A few days ago, over dinner, we were talking politics again. Discussing constitutional law over pizza was not a vision I ever had for my future, and yet here we are. When human rights are being violated and your neighbors are being treated like animals, there is no other choice. At least not if you call yourself a Christian.
So here I am, worried about my neighbors. Worried about my kids’ classmates. Worried about the people who came to America seeking a life free from fear. And wondering what act of love could shake the scales from the eyes of Christians who claim to love Jesus yet drag parents from their children’s lives.
Maybe they don’t know. Maybe they don’t see what I am seeing. Maybe they have never met an immigrant or listened to their story. Maybe they don’t know that so many fled their own countries for fear of death and found a home here with us. And now, after years living peaceful lives in America, are being torn from their families for no rational reason.
It breaks my heart to watch my neighbors being called names and treated as if they were undeserving of basic human rights. I suspect it breaks God’s heart too.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) is famous for loving the person in front of her. She didn’t let the overwhelming poverty of Calcutta cause her to lose hope. She became Jesus’ hands and feet one person at a time. Her love kept hope alive.
I have felt so overwhelmed the past six months. The amount of pain spreading across this country and throughout the world is almost too much to bear. How could I, one person, make any difference?
But then I remembered Mother Teresa. There is way too much for one person to do, but God’s work is never about just one person. God’s work is done together, with love, in community.
Saint Teresa focused her love on the poor in India. For years, I have been called to serve the migrant community. I let the chaos of the past few months distract me, but no more. Knowing where to focus my love in action has given me hope once again.
I suspect you know who needs your love, too. If you’re feeling overwhelmed like I am, pick one cause that breaks your heart and do what you can. Volunteer, donate, share information and stories. My favorite part about being a follower of God is knowing that God will guide me where I need to go, so long as I am listening with love.
I guess what I’m saying is that we are the people who will become that flash of light on the road to Damascus. We are God’s love.
If you want to do one small thing this weekend, join the No Kings protest in your area. Be a part of the communal voice calling out with the question modeled on Jesus’s question for Saul, “Why are you persecuting me?” Join in community and become that brilliant flash of light. https://www.nokings.org/
Photo by Nicolas Radzimski on Unsplash
god forever tries 