We did not lose power immediately after the storm, but we spent all of Wednesday without power at the parsonage and church. Because it didn’t happen immediately after the storm, my guess is that it was done so ComEd could work at restoring power for the 277 households in the area, who perhaps lost power during the storm.
We had to give up that privilege for a day so all could have electricity by the end of the day. Was it an inconvenience? Sure! But, I could live without the luxury of electricity for a day, knowing if that wasn’t done, restoring electricity for others could be difficult or even dangerous, perhaps life-threatenng for the ComEd workers.
And, that is life! Life is about similar adjustements and ‘gives and takes’ in order to make life livable for all. It is about letting go of some of our privilege or using our privilege to ensure those around us can have their basic needs met! We can use this adjustment in any aspect of our living.
- When we go grocery shopping, we can always buy an extra can, or two, of non-perishable food for the food pantry (remember we also have a community pantry at church).
- In meetings at work, we can promote the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) voices by not taking up too much space or even encouraging others to listen to what a BIPOC has to say.
- In social settings, we can interrupt conversations that are disrespectful to any specific group of people, race, gender or identity.
- While shopping, we can speak out if we see folk being judgemental towards another.
- When a BIPOC is stopped by police, we can give up a few moments of our time to become a bystander, a witness to make sure unnecessary force is not used against that person.
- Wear our masks every time we leave home, and maintain the safe distance that is needed for the safety of those around us.
Will any of this inconvenience us? Perhaps! But that is what we are called to do and who we are called to be, as followers of Jesus in this world. Let us use our privilege, our voice, our presence to make life livable for those around us -- whenever we can and however we can.
