It is shaping up to be a beautiful
spring here in Washington. Even as God guides me into new and
challenging work, we are experiencing the Lord's presence and
blessing in our midst at Capitol
Hill Friends. Lately, we have had quite a few new attenders, and
our community feels like it is growing in strength. I am constantly
giving thanks to God for my brothers and sisters at Capitol Hill
Friends, and for the ways that I see us growing together in maturity
- both individually and as a Meeting.
The beauty of the spring is all the
more radiant for me because of how challenging the winter has been.
From November through February, I felt almost overwhelmed by stress
and anxiety. The process of looking for a home in the DC area left me
gasping for breath. The Occupy movement began its transition to a
post-encampment stage, and for a couple of months it felt like
everything was falling apart. As new homeowners, many new expenses
emerged and stress over finances grew.
I got very anxious about how we were
going to be able to pay the bills, living in one of the most
expensive cities in the country. With a mortgage to pay and a
combined household income less than a starting schoolteacher's
salary, I felt the pinch that is familiar to so many of us right now.
I began to succumb to the temptation to
put financial security above obedience to God's leading. In all my
anxiousness around money, it was hard for me to hear what God was
truly calling me to do. I wanted to feel in control, to have a sense
of security in my finances. I felt tempted to abandon the work God
was calling me to in order to get a job that paid a livable wage.
Ultimately, I needed to get out of DC
in order to get my head on straight. In mid-February, way opened for
me to make a visit to Friends in Philadelphia. I had opportunities
with a number of folks who were clearly putting God first, allowing
the Spirit's leading to shape every aspect of their lives. In some
cases, this had profound financial implications. I was inspired by
the example of Jon
Watts and Maggie Harrison, who are focusing on the ministry that
God has given them to do. They are demonstrating their faith in the
Lord in very concrete ways.
Instead of working for money and giving
God whatever time and energy they have left over, they are setting
their sights first and foremost on the mission that God has for their
lives. They are seeking
first the Kingdom of God, and its righteousness - trusting that
God will provide for all of their temporal needs as they are faithful
in the work. Rather than getting unrelated jobs, Jon and Maggie are
exploring ways to make this work financially sustainable.
This was a huge breakthrough for me. I
came to my senses, and realized that Jesus wants me to be focused on
the work that he is calling me to, and to trust him to provide for my
needs. My tendency is to tell him, "Yes, I will follow you. Only
first let me go and make sure my bills get paid." But Jesus
tells me, "No; let
the dead bury the dead. I will provide you with everything you
need. But first, follow me."
In the last several weeks, I have begun
to understand that what God is requiring of me at this moment is to
focus my attention on the Occupy movement. In particular, I am
feeling God's call to throw myself into full-time organizing for the
Occupy Church, an
ecumenical Christian witness for economic justice in our local
communities. One concrete way that I and other Christians are bearing
witness is through our partnership with Occupy
Our Homes DC.
As part of Occupy Our Homes DC, we are
resisting the unjust and illegal lending practices of the big banks.
We have already claimed our
first victory in the case of Bertina Jones, who was going to be
thrown out of her house despite
her willingness and ability to pay the mortgage. As a result of
our
direct action at the offices of Freddie Mac, who presently own
her mortgage, we were able to secure a committment from Freddie Mac
and Bank of America (the original lender) that Bertina would be able
to stay in her home and resume her mortgage payments.
As we continue to nail down the
specifics of a final deal in the case of Bertina, we at Occupy Our
Homes DC are ramping up our engagement in Prince
George's County, where thousands of families live under the
threat of eviction. We are canvassing neighborhoods, showing up at
foreclosure auctions and meeting with local community leaders in
order to build a broad base of support for a just resolution to the
foreclosure crisis.
Occupy Church has a particular role to
play in all of this. I, and other Occupy Church organizers, are
working to develop relationships with clergy and members of area
churches with the ultimate goal of building a coalition based in the
local community that can stand up to the abusive lenders that are
forcing families out of their homes. In the months ahead, I will be
focusing much of my energy on this effort, as we seek to stand with
the families that are being ruined by the callous greed of the big
banks.
I am still surprised to be involved in
all of this. Six months ago, I had little interest in activism. I was
mostly focused on nurturing my local Christian community and sharing
the gospel as best I knew how. But now I am convinced that this form
of engagement is what Christ's gospel requires of me. I have been
astonished as God has clearly called me into this work, despite all
my protestations and anxiety. With every day that passes I am all the
more aware of my weakness and inability to accomplish anything on my
own. Yet, I am convinced that God is directing me in this work, and I
have to trust that the Lord can use even me.
God has a long track record of using
the young, the inexperienced, and the weak to bring God's plans to
fruition. I have decided to step out in faith, despite my
trepidation, and to trust God to provide for my needs. With divine
assistance, I pray for the courage to seek first the Kingdom of God
and its righteousness. I want to follow Jesus, even as he takes me
far outside my comfort zone.
I am grateful for the way that the
Spirit is helping me to grow in trust. Through much wrestling and
prayer, the arc of the last month has bent towards courage. God has
been at work in my heart, releasing me from fear and inviting me into
the risky work of the Holy Spirit in the world.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers and
encouragement. May the blessing of God's living presence be with you
and your communities.
In the light of Christ,
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