I don’t know what I could say that could make a difference in the overall state of this nation, in the hearts of those who hate, in this world where evil fights so hard against life and light.
I don’t know, in any real sense, what so many fellow image-bearers of our good God live with and deal with every day of their lives.
I don’t know what it’s like to be afraid to go on a walk, be afraid to drive around, be afraid to write a check, be afraid of policemen — just because of my appearance.
But my heart hurts for those who do know.
My heart hurts to think that my amazing nephews, when they’re grown, will face such fears.
My heart hurts for the sweet children in my church family who will likely face them one day.
My heart aches for my friends who, through no choice of their own, face these fears every day.
And these are only a few — there are so many of you who have to wonder whether your skin color will push someone over the edge, when you’re just living your life peacefully. Who walk on eggshells just in case someone who has power decides to use it on you, take it out on you, just because they can.
Is it any help for you to know how my heart breaks? Can it make a difference for you to know that I care, that I pray for you, that I know things are so very wrong? That I see you as a person? That I know you are of immeasurable value, because you were made in the image of God Himself?
I try always to give the benefit of the doubt…but sometimes there is no doubt. Sometimes there is just plain, rampant evil. More and more, it seems.
So at this moment, when all I have is my words, I’ll speak out, in case it matters to you.
These things ought not to be. George Floyd should still be alive. Ahmaud Arbery should still be alive. And so should so many others.
They were created by God. You are created by God. Specifically. Purposefully. Lovingly. You, and these men, and every person who lives or has lived. There is no life that was not intricately fashioned by our Father in heaven. We are not all the same, and we’re not meant to be. Our differences are valuable, beautiful, because that’s how God made us. We are meant to complement each other, to come together as different parts of the body of Christ, to learn from and help each other, to support and teach each other.
We do not live in the ideal world I wish we lived in. Someday, all those in Christ will — what a glorious promise! But for now, we live in the light of God’s truth, and we fight, together, the evil. We resist, firm in our faith, our adversary the devil who prowls around like a lion, seeking someone to devour. We pursue justice. We defend the oppressed. We stand up and speak out, in love and truth, in the defense of the value of every life, to the glory of God.
His faithfulness reaches to the skies, and past the grave. Our hope is in Him alone. May we all follow His leading and live in His love, toward all people and every person, in all that entails.
More Than This Mess 