Love God First and Others as Yourself

I’ve debated writing this, but felt I had to, given where we are in the world today and several conversations I’ve had over the past week. 

This has been an extremely hard few months for me.  From the onset of COVID-19 to the latest racial incident, I have really been searching myself to consider what to do next.  As a person who lives alone, I’ve been physically alone most of this time of shelter in place orders and quarantines.  It’s been hard.  Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love people….for the most part.  I mean I love my alone time, but when I want alone time, not when dictated by circumstances outside my control.  I’ve missed hugs and sitting close and laughing together, but we are taught in the Word to be wise (Proverbs 8:31) so I continue with social distancing and protecting those around me. 

Add to that the latest senseless deaths of three black people (two by the police) due to racism that is still systemic in this country.  It’s been hard.  I’ve been angry at the losses and disheartened by the fact that this is the reality we live it.  These situations are not new, they are just publicized now.  Just think, given the incidents that have happened over the past few months that have been recorded and shared, how many more weren’t.  For the people who have committed the offences, how comfortable must they be to know they are being recorded and still commit them?  How confident must they be that they will get away with them not to hesitate and continue doing them? How many times have they done them before? 

I would wager that if you’re a black American adult in this country, you’ve had at least one encounter that you know was race-based.  Where does hatred and distrust like this come from?  Fear of the unknown.  Fear someone will get something you believe should be yours.  Fear of loss.  Fear of change to the status quo.  I never thought I would quote Yoda (from Star Wars) in a blog, but here goes.  According to him, "Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering."  I never thought how true this is.  If you don’t face fear or counter it with faith, any of us could go down a dark path and how many people suffer as a result.  And think of how hate-filled and miserable someone must be to kill a man in the street and not hesitate at all. 

What the answer?  A change of people’s hearts.  Ultimately, it’s a heart issue.  If we did what the bible instructs by loving God first and then love our neighbors as ourselves (Luke 10:27), we wouldn’t be able to hurt someone else, no matter what happened. We need prayer and we need Jesus and we need action to support our faith.  Faith without works is dead (James 2:17).

I’m not naturally an activist and I hate confrontation, but I’ve had to question my next steps.  I recently wrote to my Senators about the issues we face, but all of us have a role to play.  So what can we do? 

• Stand together – all people who know these actions are wrong.  
• Speak up and against it when you hear people disparaging someone due to race - silence in most cases is considered agreement.  
• Teach children that all men are created equal and in God’s image – all lives are equally valuable and must be treated as such. 
• Hold people accountable who treat people differently because of race – the police, the banks, employers, health providers, etc.   
• Vote for people who believe in equality and justice – while it’s a heart issue, some things must be legislated because not all hearts will be changed – not everyone will choose Jesus. 
• Pray that God will change the heart of those who hate – He holds the hearts of the king (Proverbs 21:1).  
• Love those around you and help those less fortunate – that’s our responsibility – think what we would want someone to do for us.

During this time, stay safe and remember we are one community.  We are all responsible for doing what is right.