By Rev. Brittany Graves
“Who would you be without oppression?” This was a recent question prompted by Lyvonne Briggs, the founder and pastor of The Proverbial Experience church, during Sunday service.
We are shaped by many experiences in our lives, whether through joy, injustice or healing. Moment by moment we gain greater clarity in who we are destined to be by unraveling the ways people have harmed us personally and witnessing how the inequities of society can prevent us from living in our full capacity if we let it.
Advocates are the people we think of who stand up for themselves or others in vulnerable situations by any means necessary. But what if we also thought of advocates as ones that brought a sense of ease despite insurmountable odds.
The definition of ease is the absence of difficulty or to give relief. While there is yet no absence of injustice in the world, we can create ease within and around us by knowing our true selves and living in alignment by being in the places that let us thrive there. Be more eager to lean into liberation than the binds of oppression. Instead of simply naming the oppression that exists, create the pathways that liberate your existence. Liberate yourself in order to liberate others. Live into your divine power that unfair power dynamics of this world do not recognize.
Easier said than done I know, but ease helps us be free rather than always carry what feels like the weight of injustice on our shoulder. When the world feels out of control, let us recognize the control we have to achieve ease through trials or tribulations.
Questions to consider:
- Who would you be without oppression?
- How do you create ease or live in your divine power?
What we can do:
- Identify ways you can liberate yourself or the people you are in community around.
- Recognize power dynamics but live in your divine power.
Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3-4 (Inclusive Bible):
Divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of God, who called us to share in the divine glory and goodness. In bestowing these gifts, God has given us the guarantee of something very great and wonderful to come. Through them you’ll be able to share the divine nature, and escape corruption from a world sunk in vice.
Prayer:
Our divine power is a gracious gift, freely given. May we recognize and step into it the more we are in alignment with our loving Creator. May we create ease in our lives for ourselves and those we engage in community, daily. Give us the courage to lean into advocacy in ways that prompt liberation. In ways that bring restoration. In ways that honor everyone’s humanity and giftedness.
Rev. Brittany Graves is national coordinator, Public Witness & Advocacy, American Baptist Home Mission Societies. She welcomes your input at [email protected] and engagement on Instagram @ambitiouslyBrittany.
Photo by Steve Johnson from Pexels
By Rev. Brittany Graves
“Who would you be without oppression?” This was a recent question prompted by Lyvonne Briggs, the founder and pastor of The Proverbial Experience church, during Sunday service.
We are shaped by many experiences in our lives, whether through joy, injustice or healing. Moment by moment we gain greater clarity in who we are destined to be by unraveling the ways people have harmed us personally and witnessing how the inequities of society can prevent us from living in our full capacity if we let it.
Advocates are the people we think of who stand up for themselves or others in vulnerable situations by any means necessary. But what if we also thought of advocates as ones that brought a sense of ease despite insurmountable odds.
The definition of ease is the absence of difficulty or to give relief. While there is yet no absence of injustice in the world, we can create ease within and around us by knowing our true selves and living in alignment by being in the places that let us thrive there. Be more eager to lean into liberation than the binds of oppression. Instead of simply naming the oppression that exists, create the pathways that liberate your existence. Liberate yourself in order to liberate others. Live into your divine power that unfair power dynamics of this world do not recognize.
Easier said than done I know, but ease helps us be free rather than always carry what feels like the weight of injustice on our shoulder. When the world feels out of control, let us recognize the control we have to achieve ease through trials or tribulations.
Questions to consider:
What we can do:
Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3-4 (Inclusive Bible):
Divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of God, who called us to share in the divine glory and goodness. In bestowing these gifts, God has given us the guarantee of something very great and wonderful to come. Through them you’ll be able to share the divine nature, and escape corruption from a world sunk in vice.
Prayer:
Our divine power is a gracious gift, freely given. May we recognize and step into it the more we are in alignment with our loving Creator. May we create ease in our lives for ourselves and those we engage in community, daily. Give us the courage to lean into advocacy in ways that prompt liberation. In ways that bring restoration. In ways that honor everyone’s humanity and giftedness.
Rev. Brittany Graves is national coordinator, Public Witness & Advocacy, American Baptist Home Mission Societies. She welcomes your input at [email protected] and engagement on Instagram @ambitiouslyBrittany.
Photo by Steve Johnson from Pexels