micah 6:8

He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

In youth group back in high school, we sang this verse. Back and forth, girls echoing the guys, singing truth to each other. I've known the verse for long time, but I'm just beginning to delve into what it actually means. Lately I've been reading a LOT, and feeling rather cowed by the immense wisdom of the collective world compared to my own meager, sorry thoughts. (Hence the lack of blogging...) Here are some things I've picked up along the way:

"Living justly" is a phrase which I'd never heard until recently but which is an increasingly effective way of expressing the concept. Another blog I peruse mentioned a fabulous book about just-living: The Better World Handbook. and while I'm only on page 15 I can already recommend it highly. Get it and read it. The authors (Jones, Haenfler, and Johnson) talk about the whys and hows of living right in simple, understandable, and practical terms.


I've begun to read gatheringinlight, a blog by a Quaker student at Fuller Thological Seminary. Some interesting stuff, including the following "living justly" themed items:

• Resources and Tips for Becoming Green and Protecting Our Environment
• How to Live Local: Creating your Two Mile Map
• This video, which parallels the lives of two kids who live under radically different circumstances:

I am continually confronted with the myriad ways my life does not line up with my confession of faith...and I so want to change that. It's hard, but that's no excuse. It gets discouraging to have a list of things I want to do and become, and then to watch myself walk in the ways of old, destructive habits. I have trouble staying motivated, even though I know it's worth all the effort I can muster. I would drop anything to help a friend in need... why then is it so difficult to drop anything to help fellow humans in general, and generations to come? Why is it so hard, even when I know it is would not only be obeying God, but showing my love for Him, and ultimately benefiting me physically, mentally, and spiritually?

I guess that's where the "walking humbly with your God" comes in. I cannot do it in my power. But He will not do it for me, either. It takes faith, but it also takes works. I need to step out in faith, and then I will find that His strength is enough. I want to see His kingdom come and His will be done--it will never happen globally until He returns, but as long as I am in His kingdom, I want to work for it.

My new prayer for myself is for discipline and motivation... Once again, for this moment. I have nothing to offer but myself, right now.