The Weekly Encourager – May 31, 2020 – Black, White, or Green

I am an empath. I am white, and I am burdened with sadness in my heart over this latest death seemingly provoked by racism. On top of the racism we now have rage, riots, and destruction in several cities in our country.

Racism is not right. The hatred, fear, mistrust, or plain indifference of people for those who are different is a natural “fallout” of the Fall. In the first family, Cain rose up and murdered his brother Abel unjustly. This is still happening today when people kill one another for no good reason, other than expressing the evil in their own hearts. As Christians, we cannot turn away from this issue. The discussion needs to start in the homes and churches of those who truly follow Christ. Jesus told us to love our neighbor. He didn’t say, love the neighbor who is just like you. No, love all your neighbors, because God made all the people in His image. People from every race will be together in heaven, we’re promised in Revelation. And yes, I bet there will be white police officers there, too. Don’t assume every black man is a criminal and every white man is racist. I don’t care if you’re black, white, or green, it’s what’s in your heart that counts.

Riots are not right, but I can understand the frustration of being ignored and the anger and sadness of feeling powerless and persecuted. As a child of six, I was sexually molested by the boy next door and disrespected by his mother on a regular basis. I knew that the prevailing powers (my parents) would not believe me or defend me, so I fought back in the only way I could think of: by vandalizing the neighbors’ house one day after school. Then I lied to the police officer who came to question me about it. I was only a kid, but I knew it was wrong to destroy other people’s property and to lie to the police. I was only a kid, but I knew something was wrong with the way the neighbors were treating me. No one was there to stand up for me.

As I write this, the white pastor and black pastor of a large church in the South are having a live discussion online. They are not afraid to talk frankly about these issues, and to take a stand for justice. We need to pray. As the African American pastor said, only the Holy Spirit can change hearts. This man doesn’t want special treatment, he wants equal treatment. He wants his son and the white pastor’s son to be able to go out at night and have fun and come home that night. But the reality is that the white son has a better chance of coming home than the black son. This is not right!

Yesterday, an African American man I know reached out on Facebook, saying, “Let me hear from my white evangelical Christian friends!” Many people chimed in with messages of love and support. Are we doing this in the churches? In our communities? In our government? And are we going beyond just saying we support people to actually showing it by our actions? We need to fall on our knees and examine our consciences before the Lord. Then we need to rise up and do what we can.

I continue to try to treat all people with respect and dignity, and to assume the best of each person until absolutely proven otherwise. I continue to greet strangers of whatever race, gender, age, politics, profession, or religion with a smile. I continue to love and celebrate the people of color who have joined our extended family. I continue to pray that God will soften hearts and bring repentance, civility, justice, and peace to this nation. 💔

Please join me in praying for our nation today.

God is faithful and good,
j