When the whole world seems on fire, patience can feel pretty silly.
It’s becoming impossible to keep track of all the heartbreak. We ask ourselves…what will it take for this to stop? When will change happen? How long, Oh Lord?
Everyone of us has asked this. We see violence, poverty, endless cycles of pain and oppression and it would be easy to despair, but the Everyday Peacemaker understands it takes a long, long time to bring about change. In fact, the bigger and more powerfully entrenched the institution, the longer it will take.
The pace of change was a recurring theme in our recent conversation with Nathan, a Dean of Students at a small, conservative Christian University. For Nathan, the work of Everyday Peacemaking requires patience—and a lot of it.
Nathan got involved with the movement back in 2015, when he joined a group of staff from other universities on one of our immersion trips to Tijuana & San Diego.
“I think ‘journey’ is a good word because it speaks to the process. I love this because, while it’s a communal process, ultimately every individual has to freely decide to take this journey on their own. I’ve tried to be cautious about it, to not rush people or the process. I’ve made that mistake before and it only hurts people.”
For Nathan, change often means pumping the brakes when he’d probably rather hit the gas.
“To do the long-term work that will really last, you have to be honest—with yourself and with others. It just can’t be forced or manipulated, we have to be patient with people and trust they’re on their own journey. God’s not done with them just like God’s not done with me, and that’s good news!”
Don’t let any of this make you think Nathan has anything but love for his work. He loves the school, the students, the faculty too much to try forcing them toward greater levels of peace and justice, but he also loves them too much to say nothing. It’s a balance that takes time to learn.
Whether you’ve been in the trenches waging peace for decades or you’re just getting started, let Nathan’s example be fresh air for you today: don’t give up, change takes time, and the work is worth it.
As he put it, “Sometimes we want to force change, but when we force it we tear, rip, and destroy. Lasting change will bring pain, but it can’t be forced. It takes time and patience.”
Please don’t give up, friends. Keep making plans for peace. Reject cynicism and move toward others—especially those on the underside of power—in love and solidarity. You matter, and so does every bit of the work you do for peace.
With you,
The Global Immersion team
Author: Matt Willingham
Matt Willingham is a writer, photographer, and content creator with over ten years experience living and working in some of the hardest-hit conflict zones in the world. He and his wife, Cayla, are now based in San Diego where they’re raising three little peacemakers and working to promote empathy and understanding in their community.
@matt.willingham