“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)
I was writing a letter to my parishioners a couple weeks ago (for those parishioners reading this, you’ll receive it later this week) and as I kept writing, I told myself that the letter was too long. I sent it off to a few leaders to get their feedback and I gave the typical, “I’d love your feedback/This is probably too long/Let me know what you’d change or amend/etc.” and, I imagine like many writers, I meant what I said…to a point. It doesn’t matter if it’s a letter or a novel, a writer wants to put his/her best prose out there, but writers are also a little sensitive. Maybe if a person just finds a typo or two, that’s fine, but don’t mess with the style, please.
Of course, people actually took me at my word and used their virtual red pens and erasers and made many suggestions, the vast majority of which I took to heart and applied. But everyone needs an editor.
I would love to know if authors of inspired letters, gospels, prophecies, and histories of what would later become the Bible went through much of an editing process. Did Paul turn to a colleague and say, “I jotted a few words to that church in Galatia, would you mind taking a look?” Of course, most readers of the Bible would also like to take a shot at some edits, too, to make it easier to understand and, if we’re honest with ourselves, easier to follow. I wanted to get out my eraser the other day as I was reflecting on the above popular verse.
The passage from Micah acts as a bit of a litmus test for one’s belief. Which of the three actions do you gravitate to? Stereotypically, those fighting for systemic change will say, “Do justice!” Those who like to give care to those who are hurting would counter, “Love kindness!” If I were editor of the Bible, though, I’d bump that “walk humbly” ahead of the other two.
It’s great when we want to move and act in our faith, but sometimes we charge into things without taking a step back and doing a little humble walking. If I’m to love here, Lord, how would have me do so? If I’m to work for justice, where would you like me to start? Humbling ourselves before God and listening is the best first step, I think, before we do justice and love kindness. Now, where’s that eraser?