After the March, Then What?

The past several weeks we have seen two significant marches – the Women’s March and the March for Life. Over the past year (and going back historically for some time) there have been any number of marches or protests (generally what they are called depends on whether they have permission or not) for a variety of concerns and causes. While there may be some disagreement around this, most of those participating would posit that their concern/cause falls under the category of social justice.

We’ve seen large numbers of participants. Lots of anger. Lots of hope. What we don’t see is, then what?  After the march/protest is done, then what?

Marches and protests raise awareness, show disagreement with a policy, a law, etc., demonstrate solidarity on a cause/concern, and, in some instances, try to educate.  Is that enough?

If you are one of those who has marched or protested, what did you do next? If you are one of those who went to the airports this weekend to protest the travel ban, what are you going to do today?

My prayer is that our activism doesn’t end at marches and protests. My prayer is that we look for the opportunity to directly impact our communities in positive ways. Connect directly. Identify a specific need for a specific person, and work to meet that need. When the coup in Turkey left Turkish students at US universities stranded with no way to pay their tuition, what did you do? When the church in Lincoln, Nebraska sponsored a Syrian family who were refugees, what did you do? When the Bhutanese community in Kansas City needs ESL teachers/mentors, what are you going to do? When the LGBT teenager is booted out of their home, what are you going to do?

We have opportunities everyday to care for “the least of these” (Matthew 25:35-40), to directly impact lives, to get out of our Barca-loungers and out of our comfort.

Small things with great love.