Witness to God Within
Since Bible Study considered “witness” and “testify” in John 5, I have been pondering the word “witness” more carefully, because of all that we are now witnessing. Watching and witnessing are different.
I was assisted by the great theologian and mystic Howard Thurman, who upon witnessing the racial unrest and violence even in the 40s established a worshipping community across difference. Fellowship Community was his response to racism. He said: “It was not long before I realized that what I had learned and experienced as to the meaning of love had to be communicated as a witness to the God in me and in our personal conduct as a witnessing congregation.” (With Head and Heart)
Watching the horrors taking place, hearing the news, waiting for effective leadership and distributive justice, I realize I must go deep inside to the God in me to witness to love and reconciliation. As I go there I almost stop at the ugly and biased. I almost rest on my white privilege. I name it and take another step toward the Divine as the Holy Spirit beckons.
This is the witness to Truth which will preach to the forming congregations of Love. Remembering that this is a search for meaning, not answers, for process, not endpoints, I re-engage the witness of God in me and feel that hope which does not disappoint. May my conduct be guided by this One True Loving Leader.
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