I’ve given my professional life to words. I believe deeply in their significance and their power. And in the theological imperative to use them carefully, graciously, truthfully, well. I affirm that whole-heartedly.

But I don’t think more words are always the answer. Or at least as I thought about the blog for this week, not more words from me. So often I hear calls to listen, to make room for other voices, to yield the privilege of the floor. All well-intentioned. But these calls are usually accompanied by a long essay, often eloquent, often true, but that also still hoard the space. More talking, not enough listening. Plenty of time for this straight, middle-aged white lady to have her say. Pretty much all the time, to be honest.

Not today. I leave the space below deliberately blank to signal a commitment to humbly shut up. And I urge you to use the time you allotted to read this blog to do something intentional today:

• to attend to a different voice. If you are white, to commit to reading/following on Twitter/listening to podcasts by people of color. Survey your media consumption–who has your time? who shapes your views?
• to read Scripture–a psalm of lament, anything from the life of Jesus in order to remind yourself what Christianity values
• to pray for all those you name as enemy
• to plan one specific action that you will undertake to help increase God’s love in whatever way matches your gifts, ability, and calling.

Let those who have ears hear.