Found Guilty

I've been accused about being "overly zealous" and "overly passionate" about social justice by my seminary professors after preaching a sermon on welcoming homosexuals into our churches. Some of my classmates know me as the one who will respond to any statement which oppresses a particular people group. My professors know I will argue for the voiceless to have a voice and ask questions about the practical implications of our theology for the poor. I have judged others for living their lives as if the poor and the those without power don't exist and I have been judged for reminding others that they are a part of the problem. Truly, I recognize I have been immature in the process of becoming who I am becoming. I recognize I owe some an apology whom I may never encounter again for the ways I have assumed their ignorance and my superiority on topics of racism, sexism, social justice, reconciliation, etc. 

This being said: the accusations are true. I am overly zealous and passionate. My spirit soars when I am given an opportunity to vocalize and verbalize the tragedy of oppression. Do I think my ideas are new or my passions unique? No. I know they aren't. Do I think I have fought perfectly, been hospitable to all or loved well? No. I agonize and confess I have not. But, when I am with those fighting on the behalf of others, I am at home, at peace and content. Why and how has God created my heart to beat in such a fashion? I am not sure I will ever know. 

But, yesterday when I was listening to a man tell a story about an encounter with a little girl on a plane and John Perkins recount the story of black children who think white dolls are "pretty" and black dolls are "ugly", I remembered that I want to be found guilty. 

Yes, that's right. I want to be found guilty for being too passionate. I want to be found guilty for looking for ways to give hope and peace to both the oppressed and the oppressor. I want to be found guilty of risking my life to stand in the gap of hatred and fear to offer love. I want to be found guilty of doing it all wrong but at least trying to be love and peace. 

 I want to be found guilty even if this means I perpetually don't belong to those who look like me or those who don't look like me. I want to be found guilty but not just as an "I" but as "we". And here's where you can help me. Will you be found guilty with me? Will you help me change my "I's" to "We"? I can't do it alone. I know I will falter and become less passionate. Resign and give up hope. But with you and the community we find ourselves in we can continue to be found guilty together of hoping for a better day and the kingdom come.