Those who have served in countries less privileged and less developed than America always seem amazed at how joyful the people are. I have wondered if the Americans think those people should be sad they do not enjoy the ease of our wealth? The truth is more likely the quote below.

Perhaps the most radical act of resistance in the face of adversity is to live joyfully. Ari Honarvar

The poorer people of other countries seem to have grasped something the others have missed. IF your hands are full of things, it is more difficult to lift them in praise. If you think you possess all you need, it is hard to give thanks for the lesser things that are out of your control but can still bring you joy.

When we are in situations that demand that we empty our hands and look up to the heavens we can begin to understand that even in the face of adversity, we can live joyfully.

In New Mexico I bought a new t-shirt. It shows a Native American Indian and simply says DISOBEY. The site, myartbroker.com comments about the popular OBEY piece saying,

Shepard Fairey’s OBEY campaign, launched in 1989, has become one of the most iconic and influential symbols in contemporary street art. Originating from a simple sticker, OBEY evolved into a bold critique of authority and social conformity. Fairey combines graffiti, pop art, and political commentary to create a visual movement that transcends art and challenges viewers to question established structures of power.

So to me the Native American Indian with the word Disobey says even in this political society of distrust and division, if we choose to live joyfully we have won a contest. While disobeying the fear tactics and often repressive decisions, we can participate in the radical act of resistance.

In the World War II concentration camp psychologist Victor Frankl discovered that those who survived the longest had a capacity to not let others have control over their minds. “They kept a place of living within themselves that was not available for repression.”

 “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” Viktor Frankl

What decisions are you making for how you live in today’s political climate? Is there a place within you that is not available for control by others? Are you in a mindset of obey or disobey? Paul, the three Hebrew boys, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and Daniel all resisted and disobeyed those in authority over them. Jesus refused to stop working miracles on the Sabbath. The disciples continued preaching even though the Sanhedrin told them to stop.

“In short, civil disobedience is allowed — and possibly required — any time the commands of men contradict the will of God,” writes The Daily Declaration from Australia. So when we are told to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8) that will likely require that we disobey things like the tearing down of the structure to make our lives more aware of diversity, equity and inclusion within American society. (DEI)

but my righteous one will live by faith.
    My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back.”
But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost but among those who have faith and so preserve our souls. Hebrews 10:38-39 NRSVUE

We need God’s help to persevere and not shrink back. Holy Spirit strengthen our faith to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with you.

For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with excellence, and excellence with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, ⁷ and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love. ⁸ For if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8 NRSVUE

We have much work to do! We are made in the image of God. He does not rate one person as more valuable than another in his Kingdom. He sees us with diversity, equity and inclusion. Can we see each other in the same way? God does not show favoritism or partiality. Romans 2:11