6. Incremental Step

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Justice can feel overwhelming and, at times, hopeless. How can such a big problem get solved? What can I do to make a difference?

Sometimes it's hard to see, but 'small steps make a big difference.'

Slavery dates back to the foundation of our nation. The bible was used as a weapon to keep people enslaved. Following slave laws were biased living. New laws like redlining kept wealth and resources from the black community. Voting laws and police laws continued to oppress and keep blacks down. There has been a generational storyline or system of oppression for the black and brown communities. While it seems we have made progress, our recent race crisis has highlighted how far we have to go on the journey towards justice.

When Jesus encountered the women at the well, he engaged in generations of division. She was a Samaritan, and he was a Jew. Jews and Samaritans didn't get along. He was a man, and she was a woman. Men and women didn't engage together in public. She was an outcast in her community, and he was the savior of the world. His engagement with her shows us how we impact generations and systems of discrimination and oppression.

Jesus didn't focus on everyone and the entire system; he focused on changing one story. He gives us the formula to change systems of oppression.

Systems are changed ONE story at a time.

When we change someone's story, we change the systems that have dominated our world for generations.

Andy Stanley says, "Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone." Jesus shows us the power of one story. Her story changed her entire community.

What if we all helped change ONE story? Imagine the impact it would have on the systems in our world.

Who can you begin to invest in? How can you be a part of changing one person's story?

Prayer: Jesus, help me identify one person I can encourage and invest myself in. I want to see one story changed for your glory.