After another deadly shooting, I find myself not being able to sleep at night. The protests are warranted; the violence is not. I wholeheartedly agree that Black Lives Matter and in the wake of recent video footage, I am appalled how police officers still found it necessary to shoot and kill a black man who they obviously had under control. However, one bad cop does not warrant killing innocent men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve. So here are my thoughts in the middle of the night:
God is No Respecter of Persons
The song “Jesus Loves the Little Children” came to mind as I tossed and turned during the night.
Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Red and yellow, black and white
They are precious in his sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world.
This song may be about children, but we are all God’s children. If God is no respecter of persons, then why are we? When I discuss prejudice in the classroom, I always ask each student: “What color do you bleed?” Skin pigmentation, sexual orientation, gender, age, or occupation does not matter to God, so why does it matter so much to us? We all bleed the same color, so why do we argue about whose life matters? I have pondered this question for a while now.
My answer is I know my life matters because God told me it does. I do not need to protest or get in people’s faces about it. There is a quiet assurance in my heart that tells me every day that I matter to God. I also know that all lives matter to God, and they should matter to me. However, the question still remains in my heart. So what matters?
Compassion Matters: I need to show compassion toward my fellow man. I wept when I saw the young man cry out, “I want my daddy” after police officers killed his father. His father’s life mattered to him. I have heard people say he was a thug, so he deserved it. NO!!!! His life mattered.
When the terrorist attack occurred in Orlando, I wanted to hug every gay friend I had and tell them how sorry I was for the emotional turmoil this tragedy caused them. Compassion is what matters.
Think about ways you can show compassion to those around you.
Mercy Matters: Extending mercy and grace to others is the greatest form of demonstrating God’s love. In 2008, while walking to my classroom, a planned fight occurred between several girls. I ended up in the middle of the fight and, of course, could not fight back. They hit my head so hard against the locker I was knocked unconscious. During the superintendent’s hearing, one of the girls kept saying she never touched me. I finally looked her in the eye and said, “It doesn’t matter. I forgive you.” She cried. A month letter I received letters from several of the girls apologizing for their action. MERCY! We need to extend the hand of mercy. Where would we be without God’s mercy and grace?
Are there ways you can extend the hand of mercy when you feel wronged?
Respect Matters: One important lesson I have learned as an educator is if you want respect, you need to earn it. It does not matter what profession you have. You have to earn respect. Respect should not be given out to police officers simply because they wear the uniform any more than it should be given to a pastor because he stands at a pulpit, or a teacher because she stands in front of a classroom instructing her students or a surgeon who stands at the operating table. Respect is earned. If you want society to respect you, then make sure your actions speak louder than your words.
Be peace. Be change. Be love.
Freedom Matters: I believe in our right to peacefully protest. I have done it in the past but protest because you are passionate about what you believe in and want to see change. Don’t do it simply because you are angry about injustice. Do it because you want to make a difference. Anger only fuels the fires of racism and inequality. Passion fuels the fires of change.
Hard Work Matters: We taught our children hard work would get you more places than a sense of entitlement. The world owes you nothing. My son recently wrote a post on Facebook that says it all.
"My father taught me many things but, above all, he taught me if you work hard and put everything you have into something, you will be successful. I don't have a fancy education or degree. I just know that I will work ten times harder than the other guy. He never stopped believing in me, and now it is paying off. It has put us in a position to live out my dream of owning a restaurant and letting him retire comfortably someday. I thank God for him...Work hard and people will notice you and you will succeed."
Having a strong work ethic matters in this world. Go out there and work not just for yourself, but for your fellow man. Working with Streets for Christ feeding the homeless in Rochester was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. Giving instead of taking is a blessing to your community and to yourself.
Love Matters: I believe in showing the love of God. I believe in living like Jesus did. I believe that my Father loves his creation with a powerful and undying love, and he expects the same from me. I also know that when I say I am a Christian, I see the look in people’s eyes. “Oh, you are one of them.” No., I am not. I am anti-religion and pro-Jesus. I am not judgmental and, quite frankly, the actions of organized religion often makes me uncomfortable. All God called me to do is LOVE. “Love your neighbor as yourself” is what matters. Do I find it hard to do sometimes? Yes, especially when I operate out of fear. When the killings at Pulse in Orlando happened, my heart needed a checkup. I wanted to close the borders, but God spoke to my heart. Even in death, LOVE! Even when the world is going awry, LOVE!
How can you demonstrate love today?
So for me, these are the things that matter. We all need to examine our hearts and recognize that all lives matter to God. I will be the first to examine my heart. How about you?
