Do you ever feel overwhelmed by all the ways we’re suppose to make a difference in the world? We’re suppose to eat certain foods, wear certain shoes, support certain organizations, “like” certain Facebook posts … sigh … sometimes it all feels overdone. A type of “justice fatigue” sets in. How can we stay committed to justice and mercy and not feel like Sisyphus, constantly pushing a rock up the hill?
Kent Annan has written Slow Kingdom Coming: Practices for Doing Justice, Loving Mercy and Walking Humbly in the World so we can all take a deep breath and get back to viewing justice as a spiritual journey. The five practices — disciplines if you will — will allow us to keep things in perspective and stay focused on the challenges without being intimidated by it all.
Kent calls us to Attention, Confession, Respect, Partnering, and Truthing. I won’t get into the meaning of each one in this short review. Suffice to say that each is a chapter in the book, with personal stories blended with theological insights. Kent does a great job of making it all seem real and tangible, yet simultaneously thoughtful and purposeful.
Here’s one quote worth sharing, “….attention to justice should lead to the deepening of our spiritual lives because as we practice attention in our approach to justice we also more attentively pray for guidance in working for God’s kingdom to come on earth as in heaven.”
This is a very good book for anybody who feels the burnout that can come from doing ministry, especially if your work is in the field of justice and serving the poor. You’ll find some real nuggets here.
Well done, Kent. Well done indeed.