“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 NRSV
Last month, I traveled to Savannah, GA, to participate in my second Bridge Run, where runners begin on Hutchinson Island, cross the Talmadge Memorial Bridge, and finish near the MLK Arena. It was 24 degrees as we waited to start, and I thought, “This is gonna be hard.”
Just before Christmas, as I attended a dinner that included wishing a colleague the best in his retirement, I remember saying to Jackie, “This is gonna be hard.”
Last week, I talked with another colleague about the importance of our work around anti-racism and the upcoming HEART training offered by the Gateway Dismantling Racism Team. I realized our efforts to encourage others to participate will be a challenge. “This is gonna be hard.”
Every day, people do hard things. Every day, people face hard decisions. Every day, people endure consequences.
In Stride Toward Freedom, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. writes about the moments immediately following a bombing that occurred at his home in Montgomery, Alabama, while his wife and daughter were inside. This was during the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and tensions were high throughout the city. The crowd had become unruly and police officers did not have an answer to help bring calm to the folks who had gathered outside the King home. At the height of this traumatic experience for him and his family, Rev. King addressed the crowd the best he could in an extremely charged and disruptive atmosphere. I wonder if Rev. King may have had the thought, “This is gonna be hard.”
Rev. King asked for their attention, explained that his family was ok, and spoke directly to the emotions of the crowd. He told them, “We cannot solve this problem through retaliatory violence. We must meet violence with non-violence. Remember the words of Jesus: ‘He who lives by the sword will perish by the sword.” He then asked them to depart in peace and again turned to the words of Jesus, “‘Love your enemies; bless them that curse you; pray for them that despitefully use you.’ This is what we must live by. We must meet hate with love.”
How was Rev. King able to share these words after a homemade bomb was thrown at his home? How was he able to compose himself and speak words of non-violence and love for his enemies at such a time as this? Rev. King desired to call the oppressors to repentance and for their hearts to be changed. I believe he could do hard things because he realized God’s call on his life and knew the gifts God had given him.
In these first weeks of a new year, during a season after Epiphany where we celebrate the light of Christ shining in the darkness, we will celebrate Rev. King and a presidential inauguration on the very same day. Some will say, “This is gonna be hard.” Many of us might hear those words, might think those words, and perhaps might say those words. Yet, no matter how hard it may be, the truth is that we can practice our faith by employing the gifts God gives to each of us.
Paul says, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” Through our efforts to practice these gifts, we serve the common good. We support the common good through our energies to share these gifts alongside others. Through our example of embodying these gifts, we uphold the common good.
Eugene Peterson says it this way: “Each person is given something to do that shows who God is.” Once we determine what that something is, we should keep doing it so that others can see God. As we continue to practice these gifts, we deepen our commitment to being disciples of Jesus Christ.
So let’s not be frozen in fear with the words, “This is gonna be hard.” Instead, let’s be faithful followers of Jesus, ready to show others our commitment to the common good.
With thanksgiving to the General Council on Religion & Race, I share this prayer for our season after Epiphany.
Opening
Gracious God,
As the dawn of this new year rises, we turn to You with open hearts and minds. We are humbled by Your unending grace, inspired by Your call to justice, and eager to walk in the way of love.
Reflection on Humility
Emmanuel, help us to approach the work of anti-racism with humility. Reveal to us the biases we hold—both known and unknown. Let us confess the ways we have been complicit in systems of oppression and seek forgiveness from those we have harmed.
Reflection on Courage
Give us the courage to speak out against injustice, even when it is uncomfortable. Strengthen our resolve to stand with the marginalized and oppressed, and remind us that Your Spirit emboldens us to be agents of transformation in the world.
Reflection on Wisdom
Grant us wisdom to discern the steps we must take individually and as a community. Illuminate our path with Your Word and teachings, and guide us to reflect deeply on the voices of those who have been silenced or ignored.
Closing
We dedicate this year to You, O Divine Creator, committing to the hard but holy work of anti-racism. Transform us into vessels of Your peace and instruments of Your justice. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
Blessings, 
David