Tuesday, March 3

Reflection from Dan Snyder

Need some inspiration? Consider this delightful story from Alexia Salvatierra’s book, Faith-Rooted Organizing: Mobilizing the Church in Service to the World (InterVarsity Press, 2013), 74–76.

“Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa was threatened by the government to stop speaking out against apartheid. On one Easter morning soldiers were sent to his church. They lined the walls of the sanctuary holding loaded rifles. The congregation was frightened that Bishop Tutu would speak against apartheid and that the soldiers would start shooting. They were also frightened that he would not speak—for then the regime would have effectively won.   

Bishop Tutu began bouncing on his heels and laughing, laughing uproariously, laughing like a child. The laughter was contagious. Soon, everyone was laughing, even some of the soldiers…. Bishop Tutu went on to preach against apartheid and he was not shot.   

Bishop Tutu did not have the power of force…. He did not have the power of wealth…. He did not have the power of numbers…. In this instance Bishop Tutu did not have serpent power; his was the power of the dove, residing in his faith, hope and love. Tutu’s faith gave him the capacity for joy in all circumstances. His faith in the coming kingdom of God brought the experience of the future into the present, making it real for his audience. He did not fear for the future; he awaited it expectantly and called his listeners into it. This lack of fear allowed him to look past the guns, see the boys holding the guns, and love them."