By Jon Eng, Pastor, Union Church, Pflugerville, Texas
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
– Joshua 1:9, NIV
In a world filled with cynicism and uncertainty, hope can feel scarce and justice a distant dream. We ache alongside a groaning world, where forces of nature and systems of injustice seem relentless. Over the past year, we have seen storms devastate communities, global conflicts persist, stealing life, robbing peace and impeding justice. Many of us carry personal burdens of loss and grief as well—stories that mirror those around us, such as a mother who recently lost her son to violence, or a son grieving his father’s passing. This world, beautiful as it is, often extracts the very life it sustains.
Yet, the God of all creation has not abandoned us. Where there is chaos, God leans in, hearing our cries and responding with creative love and justice. When the Israelites were crushed under the yoke of slavery, God intervened, and hope was born in unlikely places. A nearly orphaned boy, floated down the Nile in a basket, was watched over by a sister who dared to hope against hope. That boy grew into Moses, who led his people out of captivity. When Moses could go no further, Joshua stepped into his place. At the threshold of promise, with the giants of oppression looming large, God’s command to Joshua was clear: “Be strong and courageous…for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Today, God calls us to go into the places where justice is most needed and to bring courage and hope with us. Facing the giants of racism, inequity and despair, we are called to act as ambassadors of God’s vision for a just world. God’s Spirit is with us, renewing all things and equipping us for the work of justice, reconciliation and healing. Where is God calling you to stand strong? Drink deeply from the well of God’s hope and know that, in every step toward justice, God is by your side.
Reflection: Where is God calling you to bring courage and hope into the broken places of this world? How can you be part of God’s work of justice and renewal?
Prayer: God of hope, grant us the courage to go where you lead, even into difficult and painful places. May we be filled with your Spirit, emboldened to bring your justice and healing to a world in need. Amen.
JUSTICE NOTE
Justice work can often leave us feeling weary and in need of renewal. For 2025, Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes has graciously offered access to her Sacred Self-Care Inventory, a resource designed to help you assess and reflect on your current self-care practices. Adapted from
her book, Sacred Self-Care: Daily Practices for Nurturing Our Whole Selves, and used with permission, this tool provides a thoughtful way to prioritize personal well-being while engaging in the work of justice.
When you complete the inventory electronically, you will receive your results immediately, along with a downloadable PDF of the full inventory for your personal use. This ensures you can revisit and reflect on your self- care journey whenever needed.
We are deeply grateful for Dr. Walker-Barnes’ groundbreaking contributions and generosity in sharing this resource as part of the 2025 McCall Racial Justice Lenten Resource. To delve deeper into her insights, we encourage you to read Sacred Self-Care: Daily Practices for Nurturing Our Whole Selves.
You can access Dr. Walker-Barnes’ Sacred Self-Care Inventory here.