Love UndocumentedSample

When we follow God’s call to build bridges across society’s divides, our perspectives begin to shift ever so slightly. Without even trying to, we learn to weep with those who mourn and rejoice with those who celebrate (Romans 12:15). Suddenly, those issues that affect our brothers and sisters are part of our own lives. But when we are isolated from those experiencing the intensity of injustice, our urgency is often lacking.

Important issues affecting vulnerable people are still largely being ignored. But the line between engaging and dismissing injustice feels blurrier, I believe, in our world of social media, push notifications, and the twenty-four-hour news cycle. Many of us are bombarded by the heartbreak of the day as passions for worldwide injustices swell and recede online. As if we were standing in the surf, we pay attention as issues roll in and bury our feet. But then, just as quickly, they pull back out into the vast ocean, where we can no longer see the specific wave that touched us. As hard as it may be to admit, it can be difficult to care beyond the few seconds the story flashes on the screen or the article zooms past on our phones. We might double-tap an Instagram photo of a young boy rescued from ISIL in Syria, share a powerful article on Facebook, or hashtag our favorite Twitter causes—before being immediately called back to our “real life,” which too often is very disconnected from these issues of the day.

Relationships are key for sustaining justice work long-term. When we are in relationship with those most affected by the news, we cannot escape the real consequences of executive orders and Supreme Court rulings. Instead of experiencing apathy or justice fatigue, we are sustained by our relationships in the long and valuable work toward justice. We fall to our knees, calling out to El Roi, the God who sees. We pray by name for those we know who are suffering abuse and injustice, who live in fear and terror. We do not need reminders to seek God’s face on behalf of the poor and the mistreated, because they are our friends. We cannot not pray for them and against the systems that hold them captive.