When conditions in the wider society reach a certain point—e.g., justice is threatened—it might be appropriate for us to find ways, within the law and holding our most precious values intact, to push back against or slow down what is oppressive, dangerous or unrighteous.
Once we’ve made the decision to challenge what’s not right, questions like these merit our consideration:
- How do we find and address the most essential matters or people?
- How do we cement our thoughts into actions?
- Given our personal assets, what might we be able to accomplish?
- What are the possible costs we may face?
- How do we maintain our personal integrity?
- With whom could we engage as partners?
During the past few years, these questions have followed me through the peaks and valleys of our national discourse. I’m not prone to think in an adversarial way, nor do I immediately imagine treachery in the hearts of others. But when goodwill and soft power run their course, I need the help of those around me, the experiences of seasoned justice leaders and the insights of sociology and neuroscience. Starting at the most basic level, I want to know what to do now. I need a primer.
In the following weeks, I’m going to try include resistance thinking into some of these entries. Although the primary audience for these blogs has been spiritually minded older adults, it’s possible that these insights could be useful for any of us now motivated to defend against principalities and powers whose priorities thwart God’s purposes.
This may not be a way of thinking or living that comes easily to any of us. But it’s possible that our sense of calling now must include new identities as *resistors.
This all seems appropriate…..
*A metaphor, not a typo. In electronics, a resistor is a small device that reduces current flow, adjusts signals, separates voltages and ends transmission. Resistors dissipate electrical power, and help circuits work effectively. They can be found everywhere. Resistors might be necessary in political power systems. (The metaphor doesn’t extend very well from Ohm’s Law or potentiometers. You could try, though….)
