How do we go forward?

How do we go forward when there are so many blockades?

How do we make progress when there are so many obstacles in the way?

How do we move towards the Kingdom of God when so many impede the path?

We aren’t up against one obstacle or blockade. It’s multiple. It’s like the obstacles are stacked on top of each other and are set in rows for as far as the eye can see. And every stack is defended by people guarding the blockades.

What are the blockades? Racism, white supremacy, white nationalism, sexism, greed, valuing money over people and creation, toxic individualism, “don’t tell me what to do”-ism, narcissism, addiction to power, desire for control, addiction to violence, the myth of redemptive violence, us versus them, dualistic thinking, the ends justify the means, workaholism, drug addiction, broken criminal justice, fights over what is taught in schools, bad and destructive theology, might makes right, scapegoating, manipulation, passive aggression, abuse and abusive systems, partisanship as an idol, cult of personality, selfishness, personal comfort as more important than anything else, protecting privilege, nimbyism, being unwelcome to foreigners and strangers, condemnation of LGTBQ+, addiction to fame, blaming those in poverty for their situation, turning a blind eye to corruption, hypocrisy of claimed faith versus how it is lived out, rejection of peace efforts, etc.

That’s a huge list of blockades, and not the complete list either. And frankly, it’s overwhelming…