The Power of a Stand
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
“But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” – Amos 5:24
There are moments in history when someone stands up and speaks not only truth to power—but love to despair, hope to cynicism, and memory to amnesia. Yesterday, Senator Cory Booker became that kind of witness. He spoke on the Senate floor for 25 hours and five minutes, reclaiming not only time but moral ground.
Booker’s speech surpassed the filibuster record of Strom Thurmond, a man who once stood for 24 hours to oppose desegregation. That symbolic reversal matters. Where Thurmond clung to segregation and supremacy, Booker stood for the common good. Where one defended empire, the other invited us into beloved community.
From a theological perspective, moments like these are more than political—they’re spiritual. The Hebrew prophets understood that justice is not simply a matter of law but of covenant. They cried out against systems that devoured the poor and honored false gods. They knew that injustice was not just wrong—it was a rupture in our relationship with the divine.
What Booker offered was a prophetic act: he held the space, not just for himself but for us all, reminding us that truth-telling is a sacred task. Truth-telling, especially when it confronts abusing power, has always come at a cost. Jesus himself stood before political and religious authorities with a message that threatened the status quo. He too was accused, mocked, silenced—and he too refused to stop bearing witness.
This moment invites us to remember that resistance rooted in love is not only possible—it is holy. Booker’s words are a modern echo of a long spiritual lineage: of Miriam dancing, Amos roaring, Jesus weeping, and the saints marching.
We are living in a time when authoritarianism cloaks itself in the language of strength. We must remember—real strength is not domination. It is fidelity. It is perseverance. It is sacrifice. It is the quiet, stubborn commitment to truth, even when that truth costs you comfort.
Let us draw courage from this act of moral resistance. Let us remember that the Spirit still speaks, and sometimes, it sounds like the voice of a weary senator refusing to sit down until the country remembers who it was called to be.
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
What does it mean for you to "stand in the gap" for others in this season of history?
How does your faith or spiritual tradition invite you into truth-telling—even when it’s uncomfortable?
What are the sacred stories that have shaped your courage? Can you return to them?
A Prayer for the Day
For Those Who Dare to Stand
Holy One of justice and mercy,
Bless those who rise when it would be easier to lie low.
Bless those whose strength lies not in their volume,
but in their refusal to abandon what is good and true.
When the halls of power echo with falsehood,
may our voices carry the weight of your dream:
that justice will not be silenced,
that compassion will not grow cold,
that righteousness will flow again.
We give thanks for those who stand tall in the lineage of prophets—
for those who still believe in the promise of a better way.
Grant us courage, O God, to join them.
And when our knees tremble, remind us:
You are the ground we stand on.
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Stand with Intention
Before your busy day begins, take a moment to simply stand. Feel the soles of your feet against the earth or floor.
Breathe deeply and ask yourself: What am I standing for today? Who am I standing with? Say it aloud.
As you go through your day, return to that moment. Let your physical posture become a spiritual commitment—not just to endure, but to embody justice, compassion, and courage.
In times like these, standing with integrity may be the holiest thing we can do.
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
May 19-22, 2025 - Preaching and Worship FREE Online Summit: From war to genocide to a global climate crisis to a nation that perpetuates racism, misogyny, transphobia, and more from the highest office in the land, how do we prepare a sermon, a liturgy, a song, a prayer? Learn from some of our best preachers. REGISTER HERE.
June 4, 2025, 12pm ET - Jeff Chu has written a new book on a topic close to my heart: Soil! The title is “Good Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand.” I am so pleased to be interviewing him. Together, we’ll explore what it means to cultivate “good soil” in our lives, our communities, and our spiritual practices. I hope you will register. Your registration includes a copy of his new book.
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.
I am grateful for voices like Booker and you. Thank you!
Beautiful- thanks -