Marching the way God points us to go

Why did I participate in the Community March of Sandpoint, Jan. 21? While named a Community March, it was organized to be a sister event with the Women’s March in Washington, D.C. As I have read accounts from friends and family participating in marches across the country, as well as sisters and brothers in Christ who did not participate, I find a mix of reactions and reflections and assumptions. So, I’d like to share why I marched.

I marched because my grandfather delayed starting his family, in order to pay his sister’s way through college and master’s degree in mathematics, during the late 1920s. I marched because my parents met on a bus ride to a YMCA civil rights event and later my dad dropped everything (with some friends), driving all night to make it to the March on Washington to hear Martin Luther King’s, “I Have a Dream Speech.”

I marched because my parents started taking me to community rallies as early as I can remember. I marched because, in the congregation where I was raised, women repeatedly acted upon their faith by running for elected office as city council members, mayors, county commissioners, and state senators, including my mother. Through word and actions, they sought to love their neighbor as Christ first loved them. They used their strengths and gifts given by the Holy Spirit, for the good of the whole.

I marched because the strong women in my life faced many obstacles based upon their gender. Yet, they kept working and supporting one another and encouraging young women, like me, to use our gifts and follow our callings, even when the way is not easy.

I marched because I know I could not be the leader I am now without the women who marched before me. I marched because my faith will let me do no other. I marched because this is the way God has pointed me to go, “To do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with my God.” I continue to walk, because this is the way Jesus announced his ministry would go, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4)

I continue to walk this way, because creation needs our care. And, I will keep walking this way until all those created in God’s image, male and female, all humankind, are seen in God’s light; equal and valued.

We have a ways to go. But, after seeing and hearing the love and hope and faith and deep passion to make a difference for our community and nation Saturday, I sense the dawn is nearer than we think.

Lori Morton is pastor of First Lutheran Church in Sandpoint.