Patience on the Road to Justice

Yesterday we heard how John Lewis - in the days before he served 17 terms in the U.S. Congress - planned strategically to resist racial segregation in Nashville in the early 1960s. As a college student he took an entire year to plan and prepare with his team. The progressed from choosing which diners to target, to taking notes from the outside, then from the inside at the ‘Negro’ counter, then from the ‘White’ counter and walking out, and finally, the full protests, which ended up desegregating restaurants in Nashville. In so many ways he followed the strategy of Esther who had a clear plan and tested the waters at different points, putting of the King multiple times until she was ready to make her big move.

Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.”

“If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.” - Esther 5:3-4

Esther and John Lewis were strategic, and they were patient.

Are there ways you might need to be strategic and patient in the work of resistance against injustice that God is calling you to?

p.s. HERE is a 4 minute video of the march across the bridge at Selma, called “Bloody Sunday” - when John Lewis was beaten unconscious.