I often find it interesting to look at the way a word can be broken up. One such word is Justice or Just ice. Ice can be defined as a state of coldness. Our attitudes can be cold too. There can be a hardening of our hearts. And yet true justice is when there is a warmth of compassion that causes us to act, to speak, to go, to pray for, to challenge, to care for, to embrace, to journey with and to listen to others

Isaiah 1:17 says “learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow”.

It is interesting that this verse from the bible says “learn to do right”. It is not necessarily our automatic response. It is something we have to work at and apply. The good news is we can “learn to do right” whatever our age. It is never too late.

Leviticus 19:15 says “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favouritism to the great, but judge your neighbour fairly.”

I love how this exposes the tendency to either support the poor or the great. Here the command is to be fair. What a radical message.

Little actions can make a big difference. The bible says “do not despise the day of small things”. And so when we get the choice and opportunity to respond in warmth to stand with those who are oppressed or marginalised I do pray that we will find the time and ways to help those who face injustice in whatever form it may take. Help us to connect with others to do this.

When we feel our heart is cold there is a wonderful promise in the bible. In Ezekiel 11:19 it says “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them. I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.”

When we feel overwhelmed by the injustices we can echo the prayer in the Psalms “lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2) This helps us get beyond thinking about ourselves and considering what to focus on and how to make a difference.

Jesus was moved with compassion. When he met a leper who was an outcast in society he did not reject him. He stretched out His hand and touched him and healed him. Our words, our actions, our giving of our time and resources can touch the lives of others that face injustice throughout the world.

If there is a charity you have always felt you should support or get active in maybe this is something you could explore further…

I once believed that you had to be sorted to serve and I tried to get a number of issues resolved with limited success. One day I realised I could either wait with no guarantee that these issues would be resolved or I could get on with life with my faults, failings and scars from the past trusting in a God who could work in me and through me. Ironically once I made that decision and began to get involved in the voluntary sector and church I began to change and the issues that seemed important diminished and my character and outlook changed. Doors opened to new things and I met people I never would have met and I gained skills and confidence. I began to see that God delighted in me and I did not have to be perfect.

What is the language of love? This question formed in my mind. I began to consider what learning a language entails. It takes effort, commitment and application. To sound fluent you need to work on pronouceation and possibly visit the country and live there for a while. To start with you may sound different or silly but by listening to correction and trying again then progress is made.

Living in the UK I have often heard the comment I do not need to learn another language as when I go abroad people speak English. We can so easily stick with the familiar and easiest option or hold a superior attitude. And yet even within different nations there are people who speak different languages and come from a variety of cultures and faiths.

Jesus when meeting a Samaritan woman in the bible had a conversation with her. So the language of love starts in relationship listening, learning and sharing. Being humble. Valuing and caring for everyone whatever their belief, background, gender or colour. There is no fear in love. Love is not about agreeing with everything and saying nothing. Jesus was happy to ask questions and challenge.

Love is not about knowingly letting someone repeatedly hurt you. I guess there may be times when we get it wrong just like when learning a new language. People get it wrong. I guess it is about learning and changing our behaviours. Sometimes this appears impossible and God is there with us in our struggles as our advocate and counsel. He is never the accuser. Sometimes Christians do not speak the language of love and this is sad and hurtful but God promises he is there for all that call on him. The bible says that people will know Christians by the way we love each other.

We cannot be accountable for other peoples words and actions but we can consider the words we speak and our hearts. We all fall short but Jesus had a language of love that broke convention and embraced the questioning, the outcast, the worker, women, the entrepreneur, lepers, the tormented, the sick and the religious. People he met as he moved from place to place and people who sought him out.

As we live and move we will hear all sorts of language. In the Second World War there was a Ministry of Information in the UK which regularly checked the morale of the people. It knew that this was important to help win the war. It is so easy to get depressed and cynical when we hear media reports or experience things but the language we then choose to use can either help things improve or make things worse. We can spread words that help or words that harm.

I feel challenged to consider carefully the words I say and to learn more about others for this is the language of love. People can speak many words but love is the thing that ultimately prevails. I have known words from others that have been like a healing balm and words that have been a cruel blow. The words of Jesus both in the bible and in my heart have always been life giving, healing and given me peace, hope, wisdom and comfort. The words of Jesus have helped me live differently, love others and receive and give forgiveness.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered! it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV)

I want to learn more about love. To practice it in words and action with those I meet… Lord hear my prayer… Forgive me for the times I have spoken in haste from a place of judgement. May my words heal not harm. Amen