A Shared Right to Education
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act." — Proverbs 3:27
It is one thing to dismantle a system that is broken. It is another to dismantle a system that, though imperfect, has been one of the few lifelines for those who have been historically denied access to opportunity. The Department of Education was established to promote equal access in a system that is anything but equal. And now, this administration is attempting to gut it—removing funding, eroding protections, and ensuring that generations of children will be left behind.
The cruelty is obvious, but so is the irony: The very states whose leaders champion these cuts are the ones that most depend on federal funding for education. This is not about fiscal responsibility or efficiency; it is about reinforcing a hierarchy where only a select few have access to the resources that allow them to thrive.
Walter Brueggemann teaches, “The propensity in our predatory economy to deny generosity toward the vulnerable is a function of the illusion of self-sufficiency, in which the awareness of the ‘neighbor’ disappears from consciousness. We then enjoy a torrent of self-congratulatory, self-preoccupied greed that regards the needy neighbor as a threat, not entitled to any generosity.”
In a predatory system, those who need help (in this case, our children) are not seen as fellow human beings worthy of care, but as threats—beings to be dismissed, disregarded, and discarded. The myth of self-sufficiency convinces the powerful that they have earned their place, that they are somehow more deserving, while those in need are seen as failures, burdens, or enemies.
But scripture tells us another story. Again and again, God calls us back to the truth: We belong to one another. Our well-being is intertwined. The prophets warn against nations that ignore the cries of the poor, the orphan, the widow, and the stranger. Jesus makes it abundantly clear that whatever we do to the least among us, we do to him. The measure of a society is not its wealth but its willingness to care for those who have been left out of its abundance.
If we are to resist this moment—not just politically, but spiritually—we must refuse to let the awareness of our neighbor disappear. We must not allow cruelty to become so familiar that we stop feeling it. We must push back against the illusion that we are separate from those who suffer.
The forces at play want us to be exhausted, cynical, and overwhelmed. But our work is to remain awake, to remain compassionate, and to act.
May we not just name what is wrong but actively build what is right.
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
Who helped you gain access to opportunities in your life, and how did that shape your path?
How does the illusion of self-sufficiency show up in your own thinking?
A Prayer for the Day
For the Children Left Behind
O God of wisdom and justice,
We lift up the children—your beloved ones—
Who wake each morning full of curiosity,
Soon to find closed doors where opportunity should be.
For the children whose schools are underfunded,
Whose classrooms are overcrowded,
Whose teachers are weary and unsupported—
God, be their strength.
For the children who dream of learning,
But face barriers too high to climb alone,
For those who are told they are not worthy of investment—
God, be their advocate.
For the children who will bear the weight of today’s cruelty,
Who will struggle because of decisions made in greed—
God, be their hope.
And for us, O God,
Do not let us turn away.
Do not let us grow numb to the harm being done.
Stir our hearts, sharpen our vision,
And move our hands to action—
So that every child may learn, may grow, may thrive.
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Nurturing the Next Generation
Take a moment today to center your heart on the children who will be impacted by these policies—children in your community, children across the country, and children you may never meet. Imagine their dreams, their potential, their hunger for learning, and the obstacles now placed in their way.
If you have children in your life—your own, a neighbor’s, students, or members of your congregation—spend intentional time encouraging their curiosity. Read a book together, ask them what they wonder about the world, or help them with their studies.
Reflect on what it means to be part of a society that nurtures the minds and spirits of its youngest members. Ask yourself: How can I be an advocate for the children whose futures are at risk? What can I do—small or large—to create spaces where children feel seen, supported, and empowered to learn?
Finally, close by offering a simple blessing: “May every child have the opportunity to grow, to dream, and to flourish. May we do our part to ensure their path is not blocked, but made wider with love.”
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
March 18 and 25, 2025, 7-8:30pm - Dr. Matthew Fox and I are hosting a Lenten series that we are calling “From Darkness to Dawn: Spiritual Courage and Political Action in the Age of MAGA.” Our first session was with modern mystic, Mirabai Starr. Andrew Harvey was our second guest. The amazing Bishop Yvette Flunder on March 18! Father Adam Bucko on March 25! REGISTER HERE! (recordings are available)
April 1, 2025, 12pm ET - Rev. Damien Lake and I are collaborating on hosting a cohort for new congregation developers that will meet monthly. Ecumenical. Interfaith. Free. Join us.
April 1, 2025 - Rabbi Benjamin Ross and I are collaborating on a new leadership program called “All Together Now: A Collaborative Cohort for Jewish Congregational Leadership Teams.” You can read about the program here.
July 20-25, 2025 - The Art of Wilding: A 5-Day Expedition in Wyoming for Women Leaders. Click here to learn more. Only one spot left!
August 11, 2025, 2pm ET - Dr. Andrew Root and I will be hosting a 6 part series on Spirituality in the Secular Age based on his research. The dates are August 11, 18, September 8, 15, and October 6, 13. Mark your calendars! More on this soon.
September 4, 4:30pm ET - I will be collaborating with the Anderson Forum for Progressive Theology to host a conversation with Thomas Jay Oord on Open and Relational theology. It’s a FREE event. Register here.
October 15-18, 2025 - Converging 2025: Sing Truth Conference (all musicians invited!) at Northwest Christian Church in Columbus, OH. Register here!
I drafted a Strategic Framework for Congregations as we move into the coming years of increased authoritarianism around the world. If interested, you can download it here.
Excellent quote from Walter Brueggemann? Can you tell me the source?