Last week, a group of armed neo-Nazis marched through my city yelling racist slurs. A friend in a neighboring state shared stories of dehumanizing signs against those of us who have recently immigrated. I swiped past a video of congress people derailing those who are crying for peace in Palestine.
My body tenses as a familiar flood of anger and grief overcomes me. The knowledge that these stories are not rare, that they will become more common, sparks a familiar cycle of despair, dread and a desire to isolate.
As Chasing Justice gears up for Advent, we believe that leaning into our longings can fuel our activism and resilience in the months to come. These longings remind us that there is nothing new under the sun. They remind us that our hope is founded, as we look back to the stories of people who have resisted, thrived and gained freedom throughout history. They remind us that longing in the midst of oppression has been the story of God’s people from the beginning.
Remembering Emmanuel
In Scripture, God’s people endured 400 years of silence between the book of Malachi and the coming Messiah. This was no neutral silence, it was silence in the midst of oppressive suffering under the reign of a violent empire. Jesus, a brown, refugee baby, was born into a world that forced families to flee for their lives. Jesus was born in a manger, because others turned the vulnerable away due to a perception of lack. Jesus survived in a sea of grief: a baby that was born and lived as so many others were killed and screeches of grief shook Jerusalem. Sound familiar?
I imagine that God’s people felt dread, despair and a desire to isolate. Like me, I imagine they dreaded what was to come, despaired in the wake of unending grief and isolated as they struggled to trust others and their God.
But this crying baby was the presence of God with them. This living hope did not come in and destroy the empire like expected. Instead, Jesus subverted the empire in ways that could go unnoticed, but continue to take root today. Jesus built a radical movement of love, that would endure into eternity—when love finally does away with evil, once and for all.
Longing in a Liminal Space
This is the in-between space that we inhabit. The movement has been established but our world is still under the rule of empire. Jesus’ Kingdom of equality, liberation and flourishing has yet to take its fullest form. It is here that we are invited to make space for our longings in community. Here, we allow God to shape us into people who will participate in Jesus’ work of making all things new.
Scripture shows us that God considers our longing with care and calls it sacred. “For he satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with good things.”—Psalm 107,9.
In longing we connect to the presence of King Jesus as our faith fuels our participation in the restoration of all things.
In this space we lean into our grief so that we can make room for hope.
We embrace the darkness of the womb so we can experience the life that is growing there.
We join a global chorus of creation that groans for restoration while proclaiming that Creator is not done yet.
It is here that we are able to exchange our dread for longing, our despair for hope and our isolation for communal care.
This advent, join us as we allow longing to be our heartbeat and our resistance. Together we will lean into our longings for liberation, healing, flourishing and beauty.
For in our longing, we direct our attention to the current presence of these things. In reality, they have always been here, and they continue to grow, culminating into a reality where suffering will be no more.
An Advent Guide For Activists
Chasing Justice’s advent guide, Longing: An Advent Guide for Weary Activists, begins with this verse:
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look!” God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and God will dwell with them. They will be God’s people, and God will be with them and be their God. ‘God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’— Rev 21: 3-5.
Purchase your copy of Longing: An Advent Guide for Weary Activists and join the Chasing Justice community as we make space for the reality of this promise, experience it daily and join God in making all things new.
Chealsia Smedley is a writer, editor, and content manager with Chasing Justice. Chealsia is passionate about storytelling that fosters curiosity and leads to compassionate action. She produces and hosts the Created For podcast, supporting BIPOC Christians in their walks with Jesus as they live out their unique callings and pursue communal flourishing. In her free time, you can find her traveling to dance Lindy Hop and other Black vernacular jazz dances.
The views and opinions expressed on the Chasing Justice Blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Chasing Justice. Any content provided by our bloggers or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.
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