What can I do?

“I am only one, but still I am one.  I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.”

~Helen Keller

Scripture:

For, the one who wants to enjoy life and see good days, must keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.  He must turn away from wickedness and do what is right.  He must search for peace and pursue it eagerly.

~1 Peter 3:10-11

Perspective:

As I write this week’s devotional, the world has been in a Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic for 2-1/2 months, much of it spent in isolation.  The U.S. faces the threat of murder hornets and three southern states (mine included) will soon face a swarm of billions of Cicadas that have been underground for 17 years.  As if that was not enough, now yet another black person has been needlessly killed by the ones we look to for protection, resulting in violent riots and looting throughout the country for more than a week.  It is easy to feel discouraged and helpless in the midst of all this heartbreak and fear, to question what we can do to make a difference in this great big world of ours.  I could say something like, if everyone did just one thing the world would be a better place, but THAT is simply not enough; we must persist toward and be intentional about long overdue change.  It must start with a change of heart and then education in our home, THAT is what affects the world around us every day.

The peaceful protests are our right as U.S. citizens and often say what needs to be said and/or is not being heard.  However, the riots are scary, and I am sure they are causing increased anger in some people, but we cannot allow the poor choices of some to derail us from the real problem: racism is alive and active in our country and there are fellow human beings who are scared, suffering, and even dying because of it.  Not every white person is part of the problem just as not every police officer is part of the problem, BUT we can ALL be part of the solution!  Silence is not solving the problem, neither is feeling bad, nor saying, “Well I’m not prejudice.”  So where do we start?  It feels overwhelming doesn’t it?  How do we, individually, affect real change against such a widespread problem?  As with any change, we start by taking one step at a time, by doing something.  Ideas often begin to unfold before us after we step out in faith.

• Step one should be to challenge yourself!  Honestly examine your own heart.  How do you feel about black people?  Why?  Where do your perceptions come from?  You know what they say about assumptions.  Take the time to pray to God and ask Him to convict you and show you where you are not being loving, kind, and showing empathy toward ALL people.  Then, also take the time to listen to what God speaks to your heart, after your prayers and in your day to day life. 

• Educate yourself.  Do you really know what being a black person is like, what they experience on a daily basis?  Do you know what it is like to worry about walking or driving down the street and feeling tense if a police car drives by?  Unless you are black, the answer is probably no; how could you know if it is not your experience?  Do not make the mistake and refuse to believe that racism exists because you do not see it.  Instead, what you can do is to educate yourself.  Talk to black people you know and ask them what their experience is!

• Then, have the difficult conversations within your home, that is your first mission field.  Are the necessary conversations about racism with your kids difficult?  Yes, but do not avoid them because of that…or you should be questioning what you are modeling for your kids as well as what is in your heart.  We grow when we are in our discomfort zone.  If we know it is wrong, our silence is part of the problem.  Is your comfort more important than the feelings and experiences of the black people we share this country with?

Oppression is defined as the exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner AND the feeling of being heavily burdened, mentally or physically, by troubles, adverse conditions, and anxiety.

What happened to George Floyd and countless other black people before him is oppression, it is cruelty toward our fellow man, and it is an abuse of power.  The Flint, Michigan Sheriff made a powerful statement on the news.  He said, “There should be no such thing as a bad cop, if they are bad, they need to be fired.”  YES, YES, YES!  Police Officers are hired to protect and serve, society must be able to trust people who wear the uniform and carry that badge and a gun to do just that.    

If you are Christian, you are held to a high standard in this world.  We have the Bible as our instruction manual for living our best life.  Loving our neighbor is acutely important to Jesus.  People around us experience the love of God through our words and our actions.  Our words and actions prepare others, especially nonbelievers, to hear Jesus’ message.  Matthew 22:37-39 says, And Jesus replied to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  The second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  And, Matthew 25:37-40 says, Then the righteous will answer him, saying, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?  And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?  And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?  And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

God created a diverse world, made up of different colors and cultures and He is very clear about how we are to treat each other.  If we listen to, but more importantly do what Jesus has commanded us to do, we will love one another, not just the few we like best, but all among us.  With that love comes responsibility…

• Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. (1 Peter 3:8)

• I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another.  Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another. (John 13:34-35)

• Therefore become imitators of God, as beloved children.  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrance offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2) 

Have empathy, compassion, and responsiveness toward our fellow man…

• Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)

• If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (1 Corinthians 12:26)

Work toward justice for the oppressed and downtrodden, toward meeting the basic needs of all humanity…

• Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. (Isaiah 1:17)

• The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed. (Luke 4:18)

Life Applications:

>Take the first step right now…truly examine your own heart!  Pray to be convicted. 

>>Next, educate yourself.  Talk to someone with experience.  Seek resources from which to learn…

• Watch Pastor Steven Furtick and Pastor John Gray have a heart to heart conversation about racism and the change that must begin to happen: Become the Bridge, which can be found on YouTube or the Elevation or Relentless Church Apps.

• Go to www.becomethebridge.com and join the movement; the Church must get involved since laws cannot change hearts.

• Google, “anti-racism resources for white people,” and start exploring and reading, to help you better understand the black experience.

>>>Have the hard conversations in your home.  Positively influence the lives of your loved ones and let racism end with YOU.