Justice & Mercy: Fad or Trend?

Surfing through Blogsville it truly is wonderful to see that the idea of justice is taking place in the hearts of many Christians, particularly those in parts of the church that have tradtionally neglected justice. I mean, at some point one has to move beyond "cool" worship services and regurgitating secular leadership books and seek a deeper connection with humanity and living out the call to,"Follow me."

Of course there is some rhetoric from folks who are treating mercy and justice as if it is a NEW fad in Christianity. I mean, it seems like social justice is nearly as big or may be even bigger than the WWJD bracelets or lighting candles and incense. It is like hearing Darkness on the Edge of Town twenty-five years after its release and saying, "You know this Bruce Springsteen guy is a pretty decent songwriter."

Just think, what was once labeled liberal by many in the Church is now accepted as the Christian-thing to do. That seems like progress, okay, maybe not to a Quaker or one of "those liberal mainliners", but it is progress.

This is a good thing
As long as there is follow through
And it is not a fad,
that is, fashion that is taken up with great enthusiasm for a brief period of time, like the goatee that I could never manage to grow.

But rather, a trend or orientation,
where the focus is on fighting and ending poverty
and ending everything else
that crushes
the human spirit
and rapes people
of their humanity.

You know, like Jesus.

even when it is not considered cool in "our" church
even when it is in our neighborhood
or city
and not dependent on
race,
religion,
nationality,
gender,
or sexual orientation.

You know, like Jesus.