This Month’s Theme:
A Love That’s Evident
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. – Micah 6:8
Artist’s Reflection
2020 has been a hard one for the world so far. There’s Covid-19, with an economic downturn as the result of this global pandemic and in recent weeks, discrimination, injustice and social inequality highlighting the brokenness of our world. Many are confused, hurting, fearful, and yearning for love and unity.
Most of us find ourselves ill-equipped to respond to these issues, and we’re afraid of how difficult or different our lives would be if we stepped outside of our comfort zones and into the faithfulness to which God has called us.
But the prophet Micah clearly outlines how God would want us to respond to a broken world: to “act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Him” (Micah 6:8). We’re to be advocates of what is just, righteous, and loving.
So, how should we respond as believers? We can start by drawing near to the brokenhearted in prayer and hospitality, being a positive influence in our circle, or donating some of our finances to help those in need.
Whatever it might be, let’s do it all for the glory of God, following in the example of Christ as we seek to love others with the unconditional love and grace that God gives us each day.
— Kezia WP
Join in the Conversation
Black Lives Matter. The plight of migrant workers. The people we often forget even in church. In the past few months, our eyes have been opened to the injustices and prejudices happening all around the world. Perhaps you’re feeling indignant about what you’ve been reading, and don’t quite know where to start. Or maybe you’ve been on the receiving end of injustice yourself, and wonder if God cares about what you’re going through.
As humans made in God’s image, it’s no surprise that injustice bothers us. That innate sense of justice we feel comes from God Himself, who promises that He will one day restore the earth and make everything right again (Revelation 21:4).
In the meantime, what can we do as we await that glorious day? What does it look like to pursue justice and love mercy in our day to day lives? This month’s conversation is about living out A Love That’s Evident, so come alongside us as we explore how we can be practical and effective witnesses of God’s love to those around us.
Got a story to share about how God has been teaching you to love, relate to, and engage the broken world around us? We’d love to hear it!
Here are some subthemes to get you started:
- Practising acts of justice
- Growing in our love for mercy
- Walking humbly with the Lord
- Making God’s ways known on earth
Topics to Explore
Practicing acts of justice/mercy: Social justice, reaching out to the marginalized/defenseless, speaking up against injustice, stewarding the earth, racial discrimination, being counter-cultural, mission trips, volunteering, generosity, showing mercy to the undeserving, adoption/fostering.
Walking humbly with the Lord: Finances, tithing, checking our motivations, stewarding our gifts, depending on the Lord, dealing with disappointments and disagreements, humility, confronting our prejudices, keeping an open heart and open hands.
Making God’s ways known on earth: Evangelism, reaching out to unbelieving family members and friends, being a practical witness in the workplace and on social media, engaging with pop culture/the world/other faiths.