This is probably my last blog, but definitely not the last time you will have the opportunity to keep in touch with Soulforce, the Equality Ride, or to get involved in this important movement towards justice and LGBT equal rights. Below I’m going to share my final reflections and ways in which you can involve yourself in this work.
Lesson One: I came to a more complex understanding of prayer due to this ride. I vowed to pray for the physical safety of the bus every time I entered it, but somewhere around week two found myself forgetting to follow through with this goal. Every time I would remember that I had forgotten to pray, I would be reminded of the number of faith communities and individuals at home whom I knew to be praying for our safety, not to mention all the colleges we visited who informed us of their similar prayers. This comforted throughout the ride. However, the other conclusion I’ve come to about prayer is that too often it is used by Christians as an excuse for inaction. So many times we would visit schools where individuals would “pray” for us after they had been exposed to the violence, discrimination, and injustice that LGBT people face, but they wouldn’t “do” anything. I realized that I am often guilty of the same thing. In my frustration I have and will continue to turn towards scripture to inform me of what Jesus’ prayer life looked like. From first memory, I remember him praying for himself, “Father take this cup from me…” but in relation to his fellow community members he seldom prayed but ACTED. He did whatever he could possible to make other’s lives better on earth.
Lesson Two: I basically already knew this lesson but it was doubly affirmed through my experience on this ride. No one’s heart or mind is swayed by arguments or debate, but by the humanity and commonality they discover in those they consider their opponents.
Lesson Three: You need not be qualified to effect change. You need only to hear the call to do justice and respond. God qualifies those whom He calls. Moses and Rose Parks have solidified this lesson into concrete history.
Lesson Four: There is nothing inherit about time which affects or allows for change. I believe MLK talks about this fact somewhere, but I have learned this lesson from history. Slavery was abolished and yet 100 years flew by without time changing the society which Americans lived in concerning this issue. Time did not change reality, but people deciding to wait no longer, to stand up for God’s justice, changed reality. The same is true for LGBT issues. Time will not magically change the face of our nation around this issue, but everyday people, hearing the call to do justice and DOING something about it will.
Thank you all for being a part of this journey with me. Your comments have been uplifting and I can’t tell you how many times I would arrive at a school and meet students, faculty, and administration who had already read my blog. Thank you for your support and love. May God’s Light and Love be with you.
kayla bonewell
