For this is what the high and exalted One says—
he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
“I live in a high and holy place,
but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Isaiah 57:15 (NIV)
A few years back, I attended a meeting on multi-cultural ministry. It was held in Oklahoma. Oklahoma is NOT Wisconsin. “Y’all” and “Yes, ma’am” are part of the local lexicon. “Bubbler and “supper club” are not. Cowboy boots and bolo ties are appropriate formal attire. I recall how excited I was to hear about multi-cultural churches provide rich deep Christian experiences, but one thing a presenter said stuck out in my mind above all others: He said, “Learn to say you are sorry. You will make mistakes. You will say and do things that cause pain to others.” The appropriate response is not to hide and avoid making mistakes, even of silence and absence, because we yearn to belong and connect. Recently, I failed to speak out when I should have, and my silence was probably more painful to my sibling in Christ than anything I would have said. My silence was likely experienced as assent to a racist comment. For that I am deeply sorry. When we can and don’t speak against evil – even unkind words, we are complicit with evil and we deepen the pain of other people.
These words from Isaiah comfort me because they speak of how God dwells with us when we are contrite and even revive our hearts.
Please pray with me, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Give me courage to speak out against injustice as Jonathan did to King David." Amen.
Kate Jones