When We Stand

Key Concepts

Being effective in creating more justice requires being proximate with others

“Our hearts have been designed for the kind of kinship and connection that can only come from being in a community with other people.” (p. 22)

“Recognizing that our lives are interconnected is the first necessary step in seeking to understand just how much we need each other, and our call to stand together. Community is necessary for us personally, but it is also a prerequisite for our considerations about how we might respond to—and try to solve—the issues and the injustices that we witness in the world.” (p. 24)

“One thing that I’ve discovered during my time working with communities is just how important the idea of—and the reality of embracing—proximity is. Embracing proximity is not only the means by which we get closer to real-life issues but also how we enter into and develop deep relationships that could be beneficial to our own lives as we seek to achieve justice in the world.” (p. 25)

We cannot serve others when we’re addicted to busyness

“Whether we will admit it or not, many people today find themselves in the same trap with the same messages playing in the background of their minds. Somehow, we have embraced the message that the way in which we ought to achieve validation and worth, to forge friendships, to make significant progress is by exhausting ourselves until we have nothing else to give—neither to ourselves nor to those around us.” (p. 37)

“We cannot stand together or seek justice together if we have no time to do so.” (p. 37)

“In some ways, busyness seems to be the opposite—yet equally detrimental cousin—of isolation. We may be “with” people in all of our busyness, but it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re having the impact that we could have. I was physically with my family in the evenings but they surely weren’t getting the best of me. And I was physically with my students during the day but they weren’t getting the best of me either.” (p. 41)

“You’d probably agree with me, though, when I say that busyness is a thief. It is, essentially, a criminal that we have allowed to break into our homes and rob our families of joyful memories and of the ability to live with intention… .A lack of any spare energy is the primary reason why so many people are totally unavailable to pursue—and even unaware of—their God-given potential.” (p. 43)

It’s useful to reflect upon and live according to our purpose

“Americans work hard to achieve “success,” often sacrificing what will truly bring them joy in favor of money. In essence, we trade one type of poverty for another. We say yes to having healthy bank accounts while saying no to the prospects of enjoying connections and having a sense of belonging, which are the things that make our spirits healthy.” (p. 52)

“Waiting until we’re “ready” to enter into restorative work does not honor the humanity in all of us. Instead, it places our individual needs above the needs of those who are in the most danger.” (p. 53)

“What if we didn’t have to live this way? What if we intentionally opted out of the culture of busyness and adopted a lifestyle that placed spiritual and relational wealth above the pursuit of monetary wealth? What if this type of prioritizing caused us to pursue a life of deeper spiritual purpose? What if we could start to make a huge effect now?” (p. 56)

Everyone can make a difference

“The pursuit of social justice in today’s world is no different. Our collective effort to change this world for the better requires us to stand up to fear as well as cultivate and harness our ability to work together to bring about change, offering what we have for the sake of others. Every single contribution matters when we are taking a stand together.” (p. 106)

“I encourage you to begin taking notice, whether it’s through slowing down and opening your eyes, listening more intentionally in conversations with neighbors, or joining a community message board online. The needs of your community will begin to make themselves known.” (p. 116)

We maximize our impact when we form authentic connections when serving others 

“When we encounter a homeless encampment, I believe that what we’re seeing is not only an attempt to secure a feeling of safety but also a way of curbing the loneliness that characterizes life on the streets. We need to be willing to serve not just in the traditional sense of volunteering or activism but also in the sense of inviting people into a community by offering forms of real companionship. We need to reach out to those who are routinely forgotten. (p. 168)

“Discussions about prospective solutions to the homeless crisis in America often lead to conversations about mental health and the lack of necessary resources. However, I wonder how often we stop to think about the impact that forming simple social connections could have on an individual within a marginalized group of people, whether it be those who are suffering from mental illness or even those who are plagued by drug and alcohol addictions.” (p. 169)

“As people who seek to be servants, we cannot build communities for ourselves that don’t include those who look different from us, have a different level of health than we do, or make a different amount of money than we do. We must widen our circles if we ever hope to make the type of impact that goes farther than merely superficial help. Connections are what change people from the inside out.” (p. 170)

“Father Greg Boyle first introduced me to the idea of “receiving” another human. Father Greg, of course, has been working for years with men and women who were formerly incarcerated and formerly in gangs to help them become productive citizens again. When I asked him how to best serve vulnerable communities, I remember the remarkably clear way in which he boiled everything down into simpler terms. It wasn’t so much about serving, he explained, as it was about receiving people.” (p. 188)

Quotables

“However, I do believe that one of the greatest enemies in the context of seeking to move forward and to make a difference is not a shortage of resources but rather a lack of connection and community.” (p. 8)

“Practicing presence means being actively engaged with the community and showing up for members in the community in tangible ways that supersede giveaways or feedings. It means that when you serve people the connection doesn’t stop at some event that helped a few poor people. Presence is about deep connection and relationships….Presence is more about being than doing.” (p. 10)

“As a simple action step today, write down the names of your closest friends, family, and coworkers. Then think about how similar or dissimilar they are to you in terms of socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds. Think about ways that you can become closer to them and also ways you can step outside of your bubble to take steps toward knowing people more intimately or being proximate with those you have yet to meet.” (p. 32)

“I am in no way saying that we need to be perfect before we are able to meaningfully engage in the justice work that we feel called to undertake. What I am saying is that we need to be honest about the things that might prevent us from giving our very best. In fact, it is important to remember that God always uses imperfect people to accomplish God’s will.” (p. 72)

“In order to love anyone well, we must first see them and be willing to acknowledge their needs, even if our acknowledgment means that we must give something up of our “self.” This might require a willingness to admit privilege and, in doing so, contribute to the increased equity of someone whose inequity has allowed you to financially and socially benefit.” (p. 86)

“May we not be people who deny the presence of or are shocked by the atrocities leveled against our fellow human beings. Instead, let us seek justice together for our nation and world by being the first to help.” (p. 191)