Voice of Truth: 3rd Edition, May/June 2021

Piece by Peace FREEDOM IN UNFAIRNESS: “QUEENS” IN AN UPSIDE-DOWN KINGDOM written by Stephanie Fincher We’ve all heard the artistry of barter on the playground…”Fair and Square,” “Fifty-Fifty,” and good ol’ “Even Steven” (who’s he, anyway?). These time-tested phrases, among others, were fit for nearly any kid-designed negotiation strategy.

Whether it was dividing up candy, deciding who would “go first” in the next game, or sharing space with a sibling in the same bedroom, an equitable result was top priority. Securing your “fair share” meant being assertive and standing your ground; otherwise, you risked losing on the deal, which somehow felt wrong. Though many of us were taught to be kind and share with others, no one had to teach us to be offended when “injustice” seemingly barged its way into a deal. Hard truth: This is our nature according to Romans 3:10 - “As it is written, ‘There is no one righteous, not even one.’” (NIV) Fast-forward into present-day and let’s dive into a fair and square check-up. Many of us strive to live by the “do unto others” rule found in Matthew 7:12, and we do pretty well until…life happens…when the car next to us in traffic quickly squeezes into our lane without warning or signal; a fellow committee member receives gushing accolades for work bearing your final touch; or the person you’re struggling with refuses to share responsibility for the misunderstanding.

From minor affronts to deep distresses, the list goes on, but honestly, who wants to be reminded of what we know occupies our disgruntled hearts? Some of us are acutely aware of these tendencies and feel the bending weight of un-Christ25