Listen Well

On our journey towards racial solidarity, God invites us to walk humbly, guided by the immense power of empathy. As Nehemiah's night-time exploration of Jerusalem's walls brought him face-to-face with the communal heartache of his people, so too are we called to truly see and feel the impacts of racial division in our own communities. This empathy — Nehemiah's and ours — is not a passive experience or merely an emotional response; it's a catalyst that drives us toward meaningful, compassionate action.

Picture yourself standing with Nehemiah, feeling the weight of history, the depth of human sorrow, and the sparks of hope that flicker in the darkness. His return to Jerusalem was not just a mission of restoration, but an act of deep listening and humble engagement with the community’s pain. Nehemiah’s next steps are crucial; he knows rebuilding requires more than one pair of hands — it needs a community united in purpose and spirit. His dedication to restoring the walls was also about reconstructing trust and hope among his people. In the same way, we're called to walk humbly in our communities, embracing the intricacies of racial healing with open hearts and minds.

Empathy here is our guide, urging us to see beyond the debris of division toward the possibility of renewal and solidarity. As Nehemiah teaches us, empathy is a personal awakening that allows us to witness the walls that divide us — the pain of injustice, prejudice, misunderstanding, unresolved wounds, and fear — and to commit to the hard, hopeful work of restoration.

Empathy is the bridge that connects us to the stories at the margins, to those voices drowned out or overlooked in the mainstream narrative. It begins with understanding the stories that have shaped us and the biases we carry, consciously or unconsciously. And it challenges us to shift beyond our comfort zones, to confront and be changed by the realities of others' experiences. This is where real activation begins — where empathy transitions into movement, compelling us to rebuild not just the physical spaces around us but the very foundations of trust, dignity, and community eroded by racial injustice. Ask yourself: How can my understanding of others drive me to contribute to healing and reconciliation in my own circle? Recall a time when you felt understood by someone else. Reflect on what it felt like to receive genuine empathy.

As we meditate on Nehemiah’s actions and Jesus’ teachings, let this day be a commitment to not only understanding the profound pain and resilience that coexist within our communities but also to participate in laying the groundwork for solidarity that is rooted in love, driven by justice, and aimed at healing what has been broken. This is the essence of walking humbly; this is the path to living undivided.

Prayer

God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, let me listen and love well today. Give me a humble curiosity for everyone I encounter today, so that what they experience from me is a willingness to understand them.