Incremental Change Whose Impact Exceeds Expectations
Mary and Elizabeth represent women who swim along with the tide of a system while privately growing a future that allows love to dismantle oppressive systems and topple toxic religious institutions. Change doesn’t always happen in grand, sweeping moments; sometimes, it grows slowly, day by day, before others see it in our lives (Luke 1:46b-55)
To What God Are We Turning
Repentance is not about conforming to some prescribed norm; instead, it is about turning away from religious leaders’ attempts to control or quiet our questions. John is inviting people to turn toward a God of mystery and transcendence—the kind of God you can’t understand. (Luke 3:7-18)
Seeing a Future that Seemed Impossible
As kids, swimming with the tide feels required since doing anything else could result in rejection from the adults in your life. Zechariah’s questioning of the angel about Elizabeth bearing a son was his own form of protection. He couldn’t imagine that kind of swimming against the tide, whether physically (Elizabeth getting on in years) or realistically (they’d never been able to conceive before, why now?) (Luke 1:68-79).
David: Rescue When He Needed It Most
The account boasts not of David’s accomplishments, though he could have given a highlight reel as an unlikely hero. Instead, he sings with gratitude and praise of a God who hears the call of distress and comes through the mighty waters to rescue him from the grip of his abusers (2 Samuel 23:1-7)
Hannah: Weeping as Prayer
Hannah weeps not at home but at the doorstep of the temple, adamant that God will hear her cry and see her pain. Sure enough, Eli sees her. He blesses her, and she returns home smiling, for she feels seen in her grief. She is on her way to being remembered. (1 Samuel 1:4-20)
Ruth: Building a Home for One Another
Ruth and Naomi have moved forward together, creating a home for one another and making life, stability, and rest possible for generations to come—something that seemed impossible as the story unfolded in chapter one (Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17
Ruth: Moving Forward in the Mother-Daughter Relationship
Ruth believes that the mother-daughter relationship is not just a safety net for trouble or a tool for stability. This unique relationship is about care-taking and accompaniment born from love and covenant, whether through biology, marriage, or friendship (Ruth 1:1-18)
Faith When Feeling Desperate
When totally stuck, faith doesn't care about the right answers. Faith just wants to get up and move (Mark 10:46-52)
Faith At The Bottom
Wanting to be the hero (or at least the hero's friend), while totally clueless of what that means (Mark 10:35-45)
When the Bar Is Too High
Tripping over ourselves when we try to make sure God likes us enough (Mark 10:17-31)
People Over Policies
As the authorities and disciples try to get Jesus to name what's right and wrong, Jesus play with the children who climb into his lap (Mark 10:2-16)