Amelia E. Thompson

In many ways, God has shifted my view on what justice is and what it means to do justice rightly. You may be familiar with the statement, “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?” often summed up as “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly” (Micah 6:8).

God has shown me these promptings are not separate, distinct directives, but instead comprise a singular invitation. Imagine, responding to the first direction to “do justice” with, “What does that require?” Only to be met with, “Love mercy,” to which you may wonder, how? The answer, “Walk humbly.”

What if doing justice can only be accomplished through loving mercy – which necessitates walking humbly? What if all that God asks of us is a singular commitment to loving and walking?

The single invitation to do, to love, and to walk is foundational to how my friends and I began an organization called RenewToday, a social impact initiative which began with a commitment to do justice. In the wake of Mike Brown’s death in Ferguson, Missouri in the United States we began a simple project – to organize school students to write letters about loved ones to local law enforcement and elected officials with a simple wish printed at the end, “I hope s/he lives.”

What was unsaid, is the author hoped their loved one (the subject of the letter) would live beyond an encounter with law enforcement. This effort was only just the beginning. We’ve since had the opportunity to host community conversations with law enforcement, collaborate with FreeMinds DC, an organization that shares the poetry of young adults who are incarcerated, and host a workshop for educators on our full set of workshop guides. This work has evolved into a framework for supporting racial equity through The Five Languages of Justice. We hosted a discussion on behalf of Harvard University that featured Dr. Gary Chapman whose work, The Five Love Languages, helped offer inspiration for this framework on justice.

The effort of doing justice evolved into supporting girls and women near and abroad because we believe aiding the menstrual health management of girls and women helps humanity flourish.

Lastly, we host a monthly faith-driven experience for creatives and entrepreneurs and an annual reception celebrating the faith moves of community members who dare greatly and inspire positive community change (find out about last year’s reception here).

These specific projects codify our efforts to walk humbly in fellowship with others while keeping our eyes on the One leading the tour. We are excited about what lies ahead and continue to trust in the mystery and revelation born out of doing, loving and walking. Will you walk with us?

Amelia E. Thompson, Founder, RenewToday, a social impact organization that works with individuals, organizations, and companies to foster cultures of equity, justice and community. Find out how you can support their work.