Finding Hope in Small Acts of Resistance: Why Every Voice Matters

“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9 (NRSVUE)

Friends, I’ll be honest with you. These past few weeks, I’ve been waking up with that familiar knot in my stomach. You know the one I’m talking about—that heavy feeling that settles in when the world feels upside down. Maybe you’ve felt it too, lying in bed scrolling through the news, asking yourself: Is this really happening?

Yes, it is happening. But here’s what I want us to remember together: something else is happening too. Something that gives me hope. Something brave and beautiful that’s emerging from ordinary people like you and me.

The Power of Showing Up

Last week, I watched something remarkable unfold. When comedian Jimmy Kimmel was taken off the air, people didn’t just shrug and move on. They stood up. Loudly. And here’s what struck me most—it wasn’t just one political side. People across the spectrum recognized this as wrong. Longtime conservatives joined their voices with progressives, calling it a violation of First Amendment freedoms. Protesters filled the streets. Local governments pushed back. Artists, lawyers, veterans, and everyday neighbors raised their voices together.

And you know what? It worked. Kimmel returned to the air.

This reminded me of something Jesus taught us about the mustard seed—how the smallest acts can grow into something transformative. “Truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20, NRSVUE).

Resistance Often Looks Ordinary

It’s easy to forget that resistance doesn’t always look like dramatic movie scenes. Most of the time, it looks like ordinary people making extraordinary choices in small moments. Every refusal to bow to authoritarianism matters—every single one.

In Chicago, plans to deploy federal troops were quietly shelved after public outcry and organized protest. Yes, those plans may resurface, but for now, they were disrupted. Across our nation, I see coalitions forming to protect immigrant families, defend libraries and schools, and resist extremist legislation. The noise from certain corners may be loud, but it’s not loved by the majority.

The courts, imperfect as they are, continue to function. According to recent reports, of the 384 legal challenges to concerning government actions, 130 have already resulted in court orders providing protection. Another 148 are pending. While we may worry about certain levels of our judicial system, many lower courts are still holding the line.

Here’s what this teaches us: pushback works.

Biblical Courage in Dark Times

The Bible overflows with stories of people who faced seemingly impossible odds. Moses confronted Pharaoh’s power. Queen Esther risked everything to prevent genocide. And let’s not forget Shiphrah and Puah—two Hebrew midwives whose names we still remember thousands of years later because they quietly defied a king’s orders to kill newborn boys. Their courage literally saved a nation.

These weren’t superhuman people. They were ordinary folks who chose courage when it mattered most.

Jesus himself showed us what resistance looks like when love meets power turned cruel. He overturned tables in the temple when money-changers exploited the poor. He broke Sabbath laws to heal those who were suffering. He spoke the truth even when it cost him everything. As he reminded his followers, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10, NRSVUE).

Our Call Today

So here we are, friends. Once again, the call is before us: Take heart. Speak up. Stay grounded. Resist with love.

The forces that seek to divide and control us depend on our despair. They want us overwhelmed, silenced, exhausted. But we are not powerless. Our voices, our art, our protests, our care for neighbors, our votes, our prayers—these are sacred acts of resistance. They are firewalls against hatred and division.

I think about the early Christian communities that the apostle Paul encouraged. They faced persecution, uncertainty, and powers that seemed insurmountable. Yet Paul reminded them: “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9, NRSVUE).

The Sacred Work of Showing Up

Don’t let the noise fool you. We are not alone in this work. The majority of people in our communities want kindness, justice, and dignity for all. When we show up—whether it’s at a city council meeting, in our voting booth, or simply in how we treat our neighbors—we join a movement that’s much larger than ourselves.

Every act of courage counts. Your letter to your representative matters. Your donation to organizations protecting vulnerable families matters. Your kindness to a stranger matters. Your prayers matter.

As people of faith, we’re called to be “salt and light” in our world (Matthew 5:13-14, NRSVUE). This isn’t about partisan politics—it’s about the Gospel call to love our neighbors, protect the vulnerable, and work for justice.

Hope for the Journey Ahead

I want to leave you with this truth: we are in this together. When I feel that pit in my stomach, I remember the midwives who saved Moses. I remember the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet despite criticism. I remember the disciples who kept walking even when they didn’t understand where the path was leading.

God’s love is stronger than any earthly power. Our small acts of courage, woven together with millions of others, create a tapestry of hope that cannot be torn.

So tomorrow, when you wake up, remember: you are not powerless. Your voice matters. Your actions matter. Your love matters.

We are not done. And by God’s grace, we never will be.