Declaration 2022: The DevotionalsSample

Radical Selflessness - where worship and injustice unite "But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’ He said, ‘I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain.’" Exodus 3: 11-12 What comes to mind when you see the word "worship"? I can’t imagine that anyone would have said injustice? Yet on our Christian walk, these two things are so powerfully linked through one unifying principle: acts of radical selflessness. Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush shows us how these two things work together. He was called into worship when he heard about the plight of the Israelites that weighed heavily on God’s heart. In worship, Moses was aware of his own shortcomings, yet was still commissioned by God to challenge injustice through God's strength and not his own. While your call to worship might not look as dramatic as or miraculous as a burning bush, it is in these moments of worship we gain divine understanding of His power, righteousness, and heart for all His children. Justice is in God’s heart and worship allows us to notice where power imbalances exist, where abuses have exploited and harmed His creation.  When we deeply love, honor, and respect each other as humans and not elevate ourselves over one another, we can see and value what God has created and purposed for each of His children. As we step out of our inherent human self-interest and allow ourselves to be humbled by the sovereignty and salvation of our God, our eyes can be opened to see injustice for individuals and communities at a collective or systemic level. With every act of worship, we open ourselves to be changed, forgiven, empowered, and equipped to address injustice in all its forms. Then, led by the Spirit, our posture of lowly submission to God’s divine goodness elevates our position, magnifies our voice, and strengthens our impact to see justice restored. Reflection: * In 2022 will you dare to worship in spirit and truth and allow God to reveal His heart for justice to you? * Will you be radically selfless in challenging injustice? * Pray for all those who lead worship, that they will be a channel of God’s justice. By Tenika Ahwan-O’Farrel