At last evening’s Raleigh City Council meeting, Congregations for Social Justice, a local coalition of faith communities concerned about social justice in local issues, organized a large group of supporters to address the council around the need for action to ensure that affordable housing is provided in our growing and prospering city. I was proud to be a part of that group—event though I had to stand in the “overflow” room due to the large crowd in the council chambers. In prepared remarks, Cathy Tamsberg, associate pastor of Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, concluded by saying, “If Raleigh is going to be the fair, compassionate and dynamic community we all want it to be, we simple have to make decent, affordable housing available to all of our neighbors. We can’t honestly call ourselves a great city until all of us have a decent place to call home.” Cathy’s words bring Matthew 5:14 to mind:
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”