I have a Dream!

Hi, welcome my friend! Do you have a dream?

We all do don’t we…Some are dreaming of a time when they can meet up with family with hugs & kisses, after this pandemic threat has passed.

In this time of major global upheaval & while the world’s media attention is focused upon social injustice…we need to have a dream!

Today we are going to reflect upon how we can turn a social justice dream into reality!

First let’s grab our cuppa’s, get comfy & reflect upon the dream we may have for our community, nation & world.

Social Justice Warriors

There are many social justice warriors in this world from every nation & background who strive daily for social justice.

My own journey for social justice began while visiting a Leprosy community in Thailand… in addition to working professionally in the area of mental health & welfare for over three decades, where I have seen the legacies of social injustice first hand.

These experiences have given me a dogged determination to do everything within my power to change the social condition & injustices of my community, nation & our world!

Over four decades working tirelessly to gain a position of influence on several strategic social justice & welfare boards to advocate, mediate & implement positive social change.

How?

For systemic change we need to lobby governments at local, state & federal levels for positive & meaningful changes to their social welfare development policies.

For change within the community, bringing awareness by speaking out to all groups, young & old about social injustices is key.

For I believe that awareness is the first step in educating others on the social impact of such injustices.

We have won some small victories but there are still many victories to be won! As the cries of the present movements around the world highlight.

For there are still many living in oppressive social conditions within our societies as a direct result of social injustice & prejudice.

Social injustices such as the marginalizing of those who are seen as different in our societies because of either; the color of their skin, culture or religious backgrounds, age, gender, physical or mental capacity, the level of their income, education or employment status.

Peaceful & significant change can happen…

We can facilitate that change!

While reflecting, my thoughts went to the passion of One inspiring man whose dream in recent history was to facilitate major social change in just such a peaceful manner….

Martin Luther King Jr shared…

“I have a dream today …I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low. The rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight.

And the Glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. This is our hope. This is the faith… With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope.

With this faith we will he able to transform the jangling discord of our [world] into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together…to stand up for freedom together,

Knowing that we will be fine one day. This will be the day when all God’s children will be able to sing with new meaning…for freedom.” Source

I too have this dream…

Many of those sentiments above are found in the text of the Bible which Martin knew well & dedicated his life in sharing.

Because he knew that the Son of God, Jesus Christ was the first to set the captives of oppression free, as there is freedom & equality in relationship with Him.

It is written…

“There is neither Jew nor Greek (no nationality or skin color for all are equal), there is neither slave nor free (no levels of income, class, status or position for all are equal), there is neither male nor female (one gender is not above nor more important then the other) for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Galatians 3: 28

For positive social change to happen in this world, it has to start with us!

We first need to examine our own heart & ask ourselves if we are holding any type of prejudice there.

Do we have any prejudice towards any individual, people group, culture, subcultural group or those who may have a differing belief system to us?

For if there is even the smallest seed of prejudice, it will quickly grow into an ugly darkness & take over our heart where only His light belongs!

If we find an ugly seed, we need to immediately turn it over to God! Asking Him to open our heart to His grace, forgiveness & love!

Jesus reinstated while here on earth…

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself”

Matthew 22: 39

Q. Who are our neighbors?

A. Every person on this planet!

&

He also stated..

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples by your [genuine] love for one another!”

John 13:35

Yes, I have a dream my friend, is it yours too? Let’s make it a reality then by bringing all social injustice to an end!

Until next time,

Jennifer

 

 

You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook

 

 

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