I spoke about Deep Justice Journeys at a church recently. One of the youth ministry volunteers approached me afterward. I could tell by the questions she asked during my presentation that she really cared about justice and was wrestling with what it looked like with the students in her small group, as well as her own kids.

She started the conversation after my presentation by telling me, Im a staunch conservative, and Im concerned that what youre talking about with justice can rob those who are poor of their own personal responsibility. Yes, we need to be compassionate, but I try to teach my kids that they have their own responsibility and they need to be hard workers.

She raised a good point, one that I need to think about a bit more. Without making any sort of political statement, I think that each of us needs to ask ourselves: Is our justice work giving folks we are trying to help the chance to contribute to their own betterment? And then theres a flip side question: are we showing compassion and empathy in the justice work we are doing?