Earlier this week, I had the distinct honor – and slightly weird experience – of addressing the Vermont House of Representatives. I was recruited by two friends, who happen to be legislators, to provide the devotional before Tuesday morning’s session. Here’s the YouTube link.

I am not clergy, so I was surprised by the invitation. The word devotional sounds religious, doesn’t it? As I’ve learned, the House casts a pretty wide net for inspiration. You don’t need to be ordained. For example, a local logger – who is also an author and spiritually thoughtful guy – made an impression with his three-minute devotional.

A peek behind the curtain

The Vermont Statehouse is a somewhat informal place. Yes, people tend to wear suits and the usual parliamentary decorum applies, but regular Vermonters wander through the building (it’s literally called “the building”) and the halls are alive with informal conversations. I’ve visited many times as a citizen-lobbyist and always enjoy the experience.

I was escorted to the office of the Speaker of the House, given a quick orientation, then directed through a couple of black curtains, emerging behind the podium. I met the Speaker (she wields an actual gavel, which is bigger than you’d imagine), chatted with my representatives, and hung out with the legislative pages: eighth grade students in matching green jackets who keep the place running.

The Speaker called the session to order – bang the gavel! – and introduced me.

Here’s what I said. These remarks were intended for the legislators, but they’re relevant to many, many nonprofit organizations.

You won’t complete the work

Good morning. My name is Andy Robinson, I live in Plainfield and I’m the former board president of Beth Jacob Synagogue here in Montpelier.

I want to introduce you to a very old book of Jewish wisdom called the Pirkei Avot, which translates to Ethics of the Ancestors. Compiled nearly 2000 years ago, Pirkei Avot is a collection of aphorisms, sayings, and instructions from the ancient rabbis.

There’s a lot of good stuff in there, but I have a favorite. Rabbi Tarfon said, “You will not complete the work. Neither are you permitted to put it aside.”

What kind of work?

What work is he talking about? Pretty much anything important, substantial, generational, or sacred. From the perspective of the legislature, here are a few examples:

• Creating affordable, equitable housing: “You will not complete the work, neither are you permitted to put it aside.”
• Ensuring that everyone has access to health care: “You will not complete the work, neither are you permitted to put it aside.”
• Protecting our communities from floods, droughts, and other climate disasters: “You will not complete the work, neither are you permitted to put it aside.

You can’t put it aside

You see how this goes. Indeed, I imagine that every day at the legislature feels a little like this: Chipping away at massive challenges. Understanding that the hard stuff won’t be solved in one session, or maybe ten sessions.

Nonetheless, you keep doing the work – because you’re not permitted to put it aside.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously declared that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” I’m imaging a Jewish response: That’s true, but it doesn’t bend itself. We need to lean on that arc, throwing our weight into it, to ensure that it bends in the proper direction. This requires stamina and persistence; may you be blessed with both.

I’ll conclude with another quote from the Pirkei Avot: “On three things, the world continues to exist: On justice, truth, and peace.” May you seek justice, speak the truth, and create peace. Thanks for your work on behalf of Vermont.

If they ask, I’d do it again

If this content sounds familiar (shout out to long-time readers), I explored it in a previous post long ago. Apologies for repeating myself, but the message feels more timely than ever.

As someone who teaches workshops and leads retreats, my role requires me to facilitate for hours or even days at a time. This was a totally different format, which I appreciated: Say something meaningful in less than three minutes. Speak your truth, keep it brief, then be still. How great is that?

Maybe they’ll invite me back next year.