The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with
the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little
child shall lead them. Isaiah 11:6
This verse explains an Advent approach to justice. CS Lewis wrote, "I
think the best results are obtained by people who work quietly away at
limited objectives, such as the abolition of the slave trade, or prison
reform, or factory acts, or tuberculosis, not by those who think they
can achieve universal justice, or health, or peace. I think the art of
life consists in tackling each immediate evil as well as we can... just
as the dentist who can stop one toothache has deserved better of
humanity than all the men who think they have some scheme for producing a
perfectly healthy race.”
One could argue that Lewis’ definition of “limited objectives” was
still quite lofty, but his point is good. Our Christian calling begins
with small and tangible contexts as a means to a larger end.
The Bible tells the story of God
and his redemptive “dream” for the world and for his people. But inside
that story, the crux of salvation began not with a grand overture but
with a baby born in a stable. The first recipients of the news of God’s
grace were not those living in the palace of Jerusalem but the local
farmers (shepherds) of Bethlehem. Likewise, our calling today begins on
the street we live on, our places of employment, and among the people we
meet every day. With God, may we during this Advent season dream big,
but begin small.
Lord Jesus, may we embrace the humility you embodied as we live into your redemptive “dream” for the world. Help Sarah, while starting small, to be encouraged to keep dreaming big! Amen.
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