Courage to Speak Truth in Love
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
“Let me make one final plea, Mr. President… In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now.” —Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde
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Yesterday, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde stood in the pulpit of the National Cathedral and spoke directly to President Trump. She didn’t mince words. She called him to account for the cruelty and fear he has sown, and she pleaded with him to act with mercy and compassion. It wasn’t an angry rebuke or a political diatribe; it was a deeply courageous act of love. She looked directly at his threats, named its harm, and asked him to be better—not for her own sake, but for the sake of those who are suffering.
That kind of courage is rare. It’s one thing to grumble about injustice in private. It’s another to stand in the light, name the harm, and confront power directly. Bishop Budde did this with remarkable grace and conviction. Her words were a model for all of us: “There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and independent families, some who fear for their lives. The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meatpacking plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals, they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals.” She reminded us that the teachings of Jesus—love for the vulnerable, protection of the stranger, and mercy for the suffering—are non-negotiable.
It’s easy to feel powerless in moments like this, watching leaders misuse their power and cause harm. But Bishop Budde’s example reminds me that love compels us to act, even when it’s uncomfortable, even when it’s risky. Speaking truth in love isn’t about shouting louder than those we oppose. It’s about standing firm, refusing to let cruelty go unchecked, and calling out injustice with clarity and grace.
Her courage is a challenge to all of us. When we see harm being done, will we stay silent out of fear or politeness? Or will we, like Bishop Budde, summon the strength to confront it directly, not with hatred, but with love? The world needs people who will speak up—not just from pulpits, but in living rooms, workplaces, and community spaces.
Her plea ended with this prayer: “May God grant us the strength and courage to honor the dignity of every human being, to speak the truth to one another in love, and walk humbly with each other and our God, for the good of all people, the good of all people in this nation and the world.” If we can live those words—if we can walk humbly, love boldly, and stand firmly for justice—then perhaps we, too, can make a difference.
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
What fears keep you from speaking truth to power?
How can you confront injustice in your own circles with courage and love?
Who inspires you to be brave in the face of cruelty?
A Prayer for the Day
A Prayer for Courage and Love
Loving God,
You call us to stand for justice, to love our neighbors, and to confront cruelty with truth.
Give us the courage to speak boldly and the grace to act with love.
When fear tempts us to stay silent, remind us of those who need our voices.
Help us to honor the dignity of every person and to reflect your mercy in all we do.
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Speaking Truth in Love
Reflect on a moment when you witnessed or experienced injustice. Perhaps it was a conversation where someone spoke unkindly, a policy that caused harm, or a situation where you felt powerless.
Take a few moments to sit with what happened and ask yourself: What would love require of me here? If you can, take one small step toward addressing that harm—whether it’s writing a letter, offering support to someone impacted, or speaking up in a conversation.
As you practice, remind yourself that courage doesn’t mean you aren’t afraid. It means you act in love despite the fear. And know that when you do, you are not alone. You are walking in the footsteps of those like Bishop Budde, whose words and actions light the way.
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
February 6, 7-8pm ET - Join my conversation “Mindful Healing: Tools For Inner Balance and Wellbeing” with Rev. Dr. Isa Gucciardi. Register here.
February 27, 2025, 12-1:30pm - Margaret Wheatley and I are offering a 4 or 8-session course called “Are We Made for These Times?” If you know Meg’s work, it’s going to be extraordinary. If you want the deep dive, the 8-session course is for you. You can read about the shorter 4-session course here. Scholarships are available. I sooooo hope you can be a part of this!
July 20-25, 2025 - The Art of Wilding: A 5-Day Expedition in Wyoming for Women Leaders. Click here to learn more. Only two spots 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.
October 15-18, 2025 - Converging 2025: Sing Truth Conference (all musicians invited!) at Northwest Christian Church in Columbus, OH. Mark your calendars for now. More info is coming.
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.
Thank you for this fine example of speaking truth to power.