Getting Uncomfortable
A personal reflection on the 7th annual Kingdom Justice Summit.
By Nicola Porto
Collaboration Project Director of Engagement
Just a girl in her element — aka me dancing 😆 In all seriousness, it was a true honor to help plan, produce, and host the 7th annual Kingdom Justice Summit yesterday.
Oh how we HOPE it was not another event, but a time of encouragement and challenge to take another step toward Kingdom justice.
To see Kingdom justice lived out in our communities takes each of us taking a step, whether that’s changing the way we think about one another (and asking the Spirit to help), evaluating how we spend our money and time (asking: who’s profiting?), or just getting uncomfortable.
I may look comfortable in this picture (and real talk, I was 💃🏼), but #KJS2021 truly challenged me and continues to.
I had gotten comfortable, again.
Others don’t have the same privilege to live in the comfort that my white skin, family upbringing, generational wealth, college education, job security, and more has afforded me. So I confess my forgetfulness and ask for a changed heart. I listen to the stories of black, Indigenous, and people of color to hear a life experience that is far different from my own. I mourn. I stop thinking about how far I’ve come (that’s my pride), and push on remembering how much further we need to go.
It does not help me to compare myself to those around me who may not know as much, because who does that help? No one. I can only control my own processing, so I proceed. I am guilty of thinking I’ve had it figured out and got comfortable. There is not true comfort until all have access and opportunity.
At the end of the day, I only think this is possible in Christ. His death unites us in our brokenness and reminds us of our need. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
He died so that I might have life to the fullest, forever. My eternity depends on Christ.
I barely slept the night before KJS, like we’re talking a few hours, maybe?! So I “woke up” (I’m not sure I was even asleep in the first place) weak and exhausted: in need. I KNEW I could not accomplish the day ahead without the strength of the Spirit of God. God brought it. Filled me. Made it happen.
In our confession of weakness and failure, we can unite, take the next faithful step, and dream about what might be. That takes getting uncomfortable.
Jesus, your Kingdom come.
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