“We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains.” —Assata Shakur
• • •
I keep thinking about Harriet Tubman—her courage, her resilience, her unwavering commitment to justice. She risked everything to lead others out of bondage, facing dangers most of us could never imagine. And yet, she kept going. I wonder where she found the strength. I wonder if she had moments of doubt, fear, or exhaustion. I like to think she did, not because it makes her less remarkable, but because it reminds me that even in our brokenness, we can still be brave.
Her words have been ringing in my ears: “I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more, if only they knew they were slaves.” There’s something so haunting in that. Liberation isn’t just about breaking physical chains; it’s about breaking the chains of disinformation, denial and fear that keep us from believing freedom is possible.
And yet here we are, in a moment that feels anything but free. The ICE raids ordered by this administration are cruel. This rhetoric of “we are deporting violent rapists and gang members” is bologna. Families are being torn apart. Children are living in fear. Our neighbors, our friends, our colleagues and employees are being treated as though their humanity is conditional. It’s enough to make anyone feel hopeless and deeply angry.
I won’t lie—there are days when I feel overwhelmed by the weight of what lies ahead for us. I fear we will see cruelty at a scale we have not seen in many years. I have days when I wonder if love is enough. But then I remember Harriet, and I remember what love has always called us to: action. Love is not passive; it’s active, courageous, and willing to face risk for the sake of another. Love calls us to be warriors for the human spirit—not with violence or hatred, but with compassion that refuses to look away from suffering.
Thich Nhat Hanh once said, “Compassion is a verb.” This has become my mantra. Compassion isn’t something we feel—it’s something we do. It’s the courage to take public threats seriously and get to know your rights, to speak up when silence feels safer, to take risks for the sake of justice. It’s not easy, and it’s not comfortable, but it’s what makes us fully human.
I don’t know what the future holds. But I do know this: we cannot give up on one another. We cannot let fear or hatred have the final word. Like Harriet, we have to keep moving forward, one step at a time, carrying love as our guide and courage as our strength.
We are in this together,
Cameron
NOTE:
*The phrase “Warrior for the Human Spirit” is intentionally borrowed from the great work of Margaret Wheatley.
Reflection Questions
Where are you feeling called to act with courage and compassion right now?
How can you embody active love in your daily life?
Who inspires you to keep going, even when the work feels overwhelming?
A Prayer for the Day
A Prayer for Resolve and Solidarity
God of Grace and Truth,
Help us to see the humanity in each person,
To act with compassion, and to stand for what is right.
May we honor the legacy of those who have come before us,
And may we carry their courage with us into the days ahead.
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Active Compassion
Let’s practice the kind of love that Harriet Tubman and Thich Nhat Hanh spoke about—love that moves, acts, and risks.
Start by taking a moment each day to pause and reflect. Breathe deeply, and let yourself feel whatever emotions come up—whether it’s sadness, anger, or fear. Acknowledge them, and then ask yourself: “What does love require of me today?”
Look for one small way to act on that love. Maybe it’s reaching out to a friend who’s struggling, volunteering your time with an immigrant rights organization, or simply offering a kind word to someone who feels invisible. Let these small acts remind you that love is a practice, not a feeling.
And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember: you’re not alone. Together, we can carry this work forward. Together, we can be warriors for the human spirit, creating a world where justice and love have the final word.
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.