A few months ago – September 25, 2015 to be exact – the 193 countries of the UN General Assembly adopted the 2030 Development Agenda titled “Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” I can only imagine the countless groups of people, just like you and me, who have been coming together for years, thinking, dreaming, praying, and collaborating in the process crafting of this Development Agenda. Thank you to each of you and the places and people you represent. What has been created is remarkable. Truly beautiful!
Although, I came this particular conversation more recently, I have to say that this conversation has been vital to my sense of calling since my youth. I continue to captivated by a hope of God’s Shalom, or what Jesus sometimes described as the Kingdom of God, or what Martin Luther King Jr talked about as the beloved community… and in many ways the 17 Sustainable Development Goals outlined in this document may be the best articulation of God’s Shalom – from a mostly secular perspective – that I have seen or heard since Jesus.
This document underscores something that I believe to my core; most people have an imagination for the good. Most long to participate the healing and wholeness of life on this planet. Most desire to live into our world, our relationships, and the eco-systems that sustain us with a quest to grow in faithful presence inviting flourishing and wholeness for all and everything.
My only concern is that many conservative religious perspectives – within many of our world’s religions – think of the UN as a bastion of liberalism. This feels like a massive hurdle standing in the way of the implementation of this vital Development Agenda, well nearly 85% of the world’s population is religious and some of those will think of anything proposed by the UN as having a secular agenda.
I am a person of faith, and I see this UN Document as a bright spot on the horizon. And I want to lend my energy. I sense an invitation from God to help activate the SDGs on a grassroots level through Parish expressions. While the UN often focuses on the global, national, regional, and bureaucratic levels, I think that I and many other leaders of spiritual communities on a neighborhood level will play an vital role in shifting the narratives, practices, and values that everyday people hold. Again, consider the fact that most of the world’s population is religious in their motivation, if the SDGs can be reframed as a faithful expression of their faith rather than some liberal agenda then life on this planet becomes better for all… that’s <85% of households, <85% of homeowners, <85% of business owners these <85% of religious people work in and make decisions on behalf of groups working within every sector of the for profit, not for profit, and governmental world, and local communities of faith are huge players in our world’s gift economy.
I’m in! Other than raising money for UNICEF at Halloween as a kid, I’ve never done anything with the UN, but that is about to change.
I am going to begin to get involved in ways that make sense for me. If your care about your kids, your grandkids, or human flourishing than I invite you to join me in offering our faith and spirituality in service of the SDGs. Religious perspectives and participation can strengthen and fasten the localization and implementation of these priorities.
One reminder, we all know our religious histories, ad often when religions get involved they compete against each other. This is part of the reason why the UN is as secular as it is, it been by design. So if you are a person of faith bring your perspectives of the Divine and human flourishing bring your sustaining and centering practices, bring your meaning making and moment marking rituals, but please leave our respective traditions’ proselytizing, competitive natures, and “we’re right/you’re wrong” attitudes at the door. The a look at Goal #17 and wonder about that in response to your tradition’s version of the “golden rule”… as a person seeking to follow in the way of Jesus I go back to what Jesus said was most important: “to Love God, and love my neighbor as I love myself.”
So if I don’t want to be poor 1, hungry 2, unhealthy 3, denied a good education 4 , discriminated against because of my gender identity 5, or lack clean water & sanitation 6. And if I want clean affordable energy 7, decent work & economic growth 8, and an infrastructure which makes industry and innovation plausible 9. And If I desire see a reduction of inequalities, more sustainable cities & neighborhoods 11, and the responsible consumption & production of stuff 12. And if I long to see climate action 13, for life in the water 14, for life on land 15, and for strong institutions embodying peace and justice for all 16. Then Christ’s teaching invites, even dares me practice love of God by loving my neighbor as I love myself.
For me the SGDs are starting to feel like a wholistic road map to land my love of God as expressed through my love of neighbor in very practical ways. Check it out. If this is going to happen we all need each other 17. Let’s do this together!
Peace, dwight
