real revolution

"everybody wants a revolution, but no one wants to do the dishes"

there are men and women all across this barren land that are shouting about something.
they stand on rooftops and stages. they preach from pulpits of hidden motives.
they write books and blogs (guilty as charged).

they shout about issues, beliefs, and controversies.
some even dare to promise revolution; to make a difference.
they shout, scream, and holler. but they expect others to do the real work of change.

they want revolution. but they don't want to do the dishes.

they have idealism without realism;
vision without practicality.
courage without love;
promises without action.

but there are some people, a rare and precious few, who shout with their lives.

these people don't remain aloof from the things they preach about. no, that which
they preach is "even more fully in their heart". intimately acquainted with needs,
they are the kings who disguise themselves and become beggars in order to live among their own people.

it's the people who believe in something and allow it to permeate their lives.
there is no disconnection or incongruity between what they believe and how they live.
for them, Truth and action are not to be divorced . . . they are to be lovers that belong with each other.

these people proclaim revolution. and they do the dishes.

indeed, these are the real revolutionaries.
and when the world is confronted with people like this....change ensues.

its when martin luther king jr. preached nonviolence, then after having his home bombed by white-racists, he told the angry mob of blacks around his house (who wanted to fight back) to meet hate with love and go home.
its when mother theresa spoke against abortion at the White House then reached out her hands asking mothers to not abort the child, but to give the babies to her instead.
its when jesus preached love for enemies, then got on his knees and washed his betrayers feet.
these are a unique breed of people; "the world is not worthy of them".

a people whose throats are strained from proclaiming truth;
and whose knees are bruised from kneeling with the broken.
a people who cry out for justice in public;
and silently sit with the downtrodden in private.

a people of revolution. and a people who do the dishes.

to those of you who have ears to hear, hear this:

all that is needed to bridge
the gaping chasm between
faith and deeds,
is one person; one real revolutionary.