If you are a Facebooker, you know that when you open the
page you are greeted with the question, “What’s on your mind?” Oh, how I wish I
could answer that question honestly. As I write, we are in the midst of a huge
NFL controversy where by a number of players have decided to kneel in protest
of what they perceive to be racial inequalities in our nation. At the same
time, I awoke to the news of a shooting in Las Vegas where 50 plus lives have
been lost and over 400 people have been injured. Additionally, it seems that
our nation is more divided than I can ever remember.
I find myself to be very frustrated. It seems that we ought
to be able to do something. Surely, we can bring peace, or reason with one
another, or at least just agree to disagree. Instead, we talk over one another,
we yell, and we let anger get the best of us. We speak quickly and therefore
hastily. Instead of making progress, we further bog ourselves down. When and
where will it stop?
With that being said, here are some of my thoughts. You may
agree or disagree, but I just need to get it out there.
Show respect to our
nation and our flag. I grew up in a very patriotic home. My grandfather
left my grandmother and two of my aunts in a half-finished house to go and
fight World War II. I have had countless other aunts and uncles that have made
careers out of serving this great country. We encounter men and women every day
that have served this country at great expense to themselves and their families.
The horrors that our men and women have seen in war are unfathomable to those
of us who have never been in those theaters. Without a doubt, they deserve our
respect. It certainly makes me angry to see people disrespect this great
country or her flag.
Protect the freedom
of speech. For Christians, we must recognize that freedom of speech and
religious liberty are inextricably linked. If one falls, the other goes with
it. We cannot be guilty of thinking our freedom of speech matters while other’s
do not. While we might completely disagree with what someone is saying, we must
defend their right to say it. If others are restricted in what they can say and
how they can say, then the day will come that we are restricted as well.
Certainly, some will say, “I’m not going to watch a bunch of
spoiled millionaires protest during our anthem.” To you I would say, you have
every right to turn off the TV as many have done. Again, acknowledging
someone’s right to do something does not mean you agree with his or her method
or means.
Does racial injustice
exist? I must admit, I have been slow to come to understand this. I have
not personally witnessed this or intentionally been a part of it, therefore it
must not exist…or does it.
The Denison Forum Reports (www.denisonforum.org, September 26,
2017):
- African American defendants receive longer sentences than white defendants for the same crimes under identical circumstances.
- Innocent black people are about seven times more likely to be convicted of murder than innocent white people.
- A black prisoner serving time for sexual assault is three and a half times more likely to be innocent than a white sexual assault convict. He is also likely to receive a much longer prison sentence.
- In one study, African American males were twice as likely to be stopped by police in cars or on foot. Another study showed racial disparities in traffic stops during the day, when the race of the driver can be seen, but not at night.
- There’s good news as well: According to the FBI, racially and ethnically motivated hate crimes fell by nearly 50 percent between 1994 and 2015. Only 4 percent of Americans approved of interracial marriage in 1959; 87 percent approve today.
- However, racial discrimination still exists in hiring practices, education, media bias, and movies and television.
I think it is important for us to recognize that everyone’s
reality is not the same. Just because I have not seen it or experienced it does
not mean it is not happening.
Listen to each other.
Scripture implores believers, “let every person be quick to hear, slow to
speak, and slow to anger” (James 1:19). This is something that we are not
taught to do these days. It seems as if we have flipped the teachings of this
verse and we are slow to hear and quick to speak, and quick to anger.
Obviously, it is not working.
Take time to listen to others. Listen to their heart. Make
an honest effort to hear and understand what they are saying. In the end, you
may disagree, but you listened. You kept your anger in check and tried to hear
and feel what your neighbor is sensing.
Live by the Golden
Rule. Luke 6:31 says, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Simple enough. Let me throw a scenario at you. What if a group of Christian
athletes, broken for the sinful condition of our nations, decided that during
the national anthem they were going to kneel and pray for revival in our land?
What if they stated that they wanted to call attention to this nation’s need to
return to being “one nation under God”? What if they stated that they were
praying for a mighty awakening to sweep through our nation?
I can’t know for sure how we would respond, but I certainly feel
some would celebrate such a display of Christian devotion. I have a hunch that
we might praise them in our churches and point to them as an example for our
children. So, maybe the action of some athletes is not our concern, maybe it is
the issue we disagree with.
Of course, much of this calls for speculation. However, I
only ask that we would respond as Christ would. At least take time to listen.
Consider that your reality might not be the same as someone else’s. In the end,
you might determine they are protesting about nothing, but at least you will
have taken time to listen.
Honored to be your pastor,
Darrell
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