Racism, What Can We Do?

Man, last week was devastating and disheartening for our country as many around the world witnessed yet another video, where a misuse of power takes another life. We stand in solidarity for the dignity, respect and fair treatment of all people, especially black and brown people. We stand united together against any form of tyranny, racism, or bigotry.

Sadly, we are still confronted with the reality that a wound in our country has not healed. In fact, this wound seems to be frequently tore open and the pain and anger flow. This wound has been infected with hate and unfortunately politics.

I’ve been disappointed by the comments on social media about the plight of black and brown people. Scripturally speaking, this insensitivity, pride, stubbornness and hardness of heart is a result of a massive disconnect with others enlarging our national divide and with God.

I’m also grieved by the violence and destruction taking place in our cities across America. The voice of peaceful protest is powerful and needed more than ever.

Many are busy making points and missing hearts. We’re not listening to each other but rather we’re talking at each other and nothing is being solved. Our quick retorts are only making the divide worse and this will only stir more division, more hate and advance our divide as a Country.

So what do we do?

Though racism is confronting us, I believe Jesus is our hope. Though this may seem insufficient or clich what He offered to all of us was a way into something new.

What is this, something new?

Jesus defines what this in John 13:34-35.

“34. So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

John 13:34-35

I know that love can seem like an insufficient Band-Aid for all that my black and brown brothers and sisters have experienced. So I wanted to provide a few clarifying points. Love does not equal an absence of disappointment, anger, or hurt. In fact, we need everyone to share in these emotions and feelings at this moment.

Therefore, through this love, we can take these raw feelings to Jesus and find hope and the expectation he has for us who follow him, love each other as I HAVE LOVED YOU.

Notice how HE loves us. It’s unconditional as he sees beyond our faults, our failures, our secrets and more. He knows everything about us and still says, I love you.

So for us, we can’t say, but he was doing something wrong or but he has a record or they’ve been living wrong, so it was coming to them.

These statements are a result of a lack of empathy toward others and disconnect from the love of God.

What if Jesus did that to you and me?

Hasn’t there been plenty of times when we should have been caught? Haven’t we been guilty of wrong in some way? Of course! So, Jesus says to us, love others as I love you.

That means we love people period! Doesn’t matter if we agree or disagree? It doesn’t matter if their Christian or not a Christian. It doesn’t matter what race they are and it doesn’t matter how they vote. Our mandate is to love each other as HE loves us.

This kind of love is speaking of a transformed heart. It speaks to being a new person from the?inside out. It speaks to being a person with a listening ear, a hand to hold and a heart that is open to the experience that others have.

So as we face racial injustice, it’s time love others as Jesus loves us.

No excuses, no buts and no what ifs, just love!

So why not now? Why not us?

Remember, with God all things are possible. We can’t heal and legislate heart change, but God can!

He’s the Healer, he’s the Savior, and he’s the Miracle Worker so our hope is only in him.

If we think legislation is the only answer, we’ve missed it. If we let race divide us, we’ve missed it. Our hope is in Jesus and our part is clear. LOVE OTHERS as he loves us.

So this my prayer, He must become greater, I must become less. John 3:30!

When this happens, anything can happen!

I encourage you to read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. This gives Specifics of what his love does and doesn’t do. This is a great metrics of how we walk out His love practically on a daily basis.

So today, I choose to love, to listen, to be present and to have an open heart with the people that are different than me. How about you?

Love and believe in you and the best is yet to come,

PD