Thursday, July 14, 2016

Bigger, Bolder, and Vigilant

I write today praying for guidance and wisdom, and ask you as a reader to have patience and maybe even a little grace and understanding if you struggle with or may even be slightly offended by today’s devotion.  I grew up as a child who was heavily involved in civil rights.  I remember being taken to conferences for the NAACP at the bright young age of eight, and hearing stories from a mother who was chair for the civil rights commission in the state of Michigan.  I also grew up in a school system where every year, the Detroit Police Department would have a band that came to the school, and for one hour or so play, tell jokes, and bring smiles to our faces.  To me, they were my friends.  They would protect my crew and me later on after being robbed at gun point.  These are the images in my mind that I had coming into last week.

While those are the images I cling to, I walk into a reality today that is very different.  I am saddened and frustrated by tragic deaths that both raise questions of my family’s safety and look deeply in my own heart for grace and understanding for those who disagree with me.  Am I safe even if I do the right things all because I might fit the description of someone who did wrong?  Do I lash out because someone unwilling to take a deeper look into a cause looks at me and says or writes ‘All Lives Matter’ failing to understand that ‘Black Lives Matter’ does not mean all other lives do not?  Do I fail to show enough love and appreciation for the job of those who protect and serve in my community?  These are the questions that have swirled in my mind for almost a week now as conversations have continued both with and around me.  At a time like this many of you have asked for love, prayer, and God’s guidance.  However, today’s devotion will simply ask something that has been lost like fad that has come and gone.  What would Jesus do?

Jesus would challenge us to be bigger, bolder, and vigilant in the face of such uncertainty.  Rather than have us focus on our fears as to what may happen, He would harken on the words of David saying:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Psalm 23:3-57 (KJV)
He would look at our own lack of understanding of others and ask us to be accountable for our own sins saying, “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?  How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?  Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5)  Jesus would remind us of the Golden Rule (Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12) and greatest love (This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.  There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  John 15:12-13).
You see as followers of God, Jesus does not allow for us to retreat to the safety of our own lives.  Our discomfort is a sign that God is challenging us to grow.  Jesus never ran away from what God asked of Him so He could be comfortable.  Instead, He followed knowing who God was; our Heavenly Father, and did it because that is who He is.  I’m encouraged by the song ‘Good Good Father’ that reminds us:
You're a Good, Good Father
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are
And I'm loved by you
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

We are valued and loved by the Great I Am.  I will not be silent to injustices, and will continue to pour out love to others even if they do not agree my stance.  I mourn with sadness over all wrongful deaths, and yes, I still love my police (especially that band that plays in the schools).  Do not be discouraged.  Our love of Christ will help others see the light as well.  What is Jesus asking of you now?  Are you willing to embrace the discomfort God has placed in your heart, mind, and spirit?  My prayer is that the tragedies of this past week will remind us our mission as followers of Christ.  Be bigger, bolder, and vigilant.  Amen.de

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