It has taken me a while to collect my thoughts and words enough to post. Many times one of the things people can do to damage others is speak out of a place of pain. In that same vein, many times that is the best thing a person can do also. There IS a time and place for everything.
So how does one know when to stay silent and when to speak out?
I believe in the timing of God. I stand on every word he says. And when he says the time is right, well MOVE honey.
Now for the real…honest…truth.
I’m hurting.
I believe that America is hurting.
Not only hurting but hemorrhaging. You see, a hemorrhage is caused by brokenness or trauma that has gone unaddressed. Usually it’s not seen immediately.
With so much time passing of unaddressed issues, America needs the healing only Christ can bring. Racial healing, spiritual healing and unity of the church.
But in order for healing to take place, you must first recognize that there is pain, pinpoint the location and do the work.
The reason why I say that I am hurting is because I know that any one those black deaths (whether at the hands of police, racial injustice or another human being for whatever reason) could be me, or my family. At any moment.
I believe in the covering blood of Christ. I believe in his protection. With that said, I hurt for those families that have lost as if they were my own. How can one not?
This is not a subject that gets old or disappears. There are black folks dying daily. There are children of color (black and brown) being separated from their parents daily.
The system of oppression was designed to keep it this way.
What point am I coming to in saying all of this?
Psalm 129: 23-24 says:
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Healing starts with you and me. Doing the individual work.
That work, for the believer, starts with God. Knowing his heart. Letting what breaks his heart break yours.
That work includes prayer.
That work may include furthering your education and knowledge of the history not just of America, of other cultures. Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, the list goes on!
That work includes seeking to understand. Being open to being wrong and not adamant on being right.
That work includes having hard conversations. Coming to the table with those you call friend and talking about the hard stuff.
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