Kendra Savusa – Radical Discipleship

An offering from Red Candle, a new organization encouraging Christians to light a red candle during Advent in solidarity with Palestinian liberation. Click here to sign the pledge. Click here to order prints from Palestinian artists. Click here for resources, including a weekly Advent devotional.

American Palestinian Kendra Savusa reflects on her own experience as a peacemaker through this piece – a red candle burning against a black background. It speaks to the loneliness many Palestinians have felt while witnessing this ongoing genocide, and the isolation many advocates have faced within their own communities. Yet the light continues to shine. This candle symbolizes the hope we find in Christ, whose love drives out every darkness and calls us to keep shining, even when it feels lonely.

From Kendra Savusa, a Palestinian-American artist (above) in the US South. This is a re-post from social media (12.18.2024). Follow and support her work here.

I used to think part being a good Christian woman meant holding my tongue all the time, something I’ve never been good at—and in some cases, that is still the wisest thing to do. But this past year, every time I’ve wanted to remain silent, I’ve felt an overwhelming push from God to speak.

So here I am, day 437, still speaking.

To my fellow Christians who have chosen silence, who have clung to what they’ve always been taught, who have stood with the powerful instead of the oppressed—I’m asking you to reconsider.

This week at my church, we reflected on Jesus washing His disciples’ feet—the ultimate act of humility and service. What would it look like for us, as His followers, to lower ourselves in the same way, to serve those we’ve been taught to fear or dismiss?

I pray that 2025 is the year you “find a Palestinian” (in the words of my friend, Amy) and allow yourself to be humbled enough to learn from them.

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