My greatest desire on this side of the Kingdom, is to live a life pleasing to my Lord. My desire is to be a reflection of Jesus Christ; not of this world. I often struggle with not saying certain things on my page so as to not “rock the political boat.” I spent years studying and living in politics. I don’t want to believe it was all for nothing.
But as someone so desperate to live for Jesus, I have a responsibility to speak up for what is right. I have a responsibility to speak out against injustice.
Yes, fellow Christians, you are right. All lives matter. But, please hear me on this: it is not wrong to say Black Lives Matter. In fact, I believe it is wrong not to say it.
Now is not the time to be silent. We are not taking away from white lives, red lives, police lives or yellow lives or brown lives or purple lives when we say black lives matter. It’s time we stop playing tug of war over pronunciations and verbiage. We can say Black Lives Matter and still support police. We can say Black Lives Matter. It isn't either/or. It is also.
Jesus spoke up for minorities. Jesus spoke up for the people tossed aside. Jesus spoke up against the “religious leaders” who weren’t doing it right and cared more about the laws they had memorized in the Book than the love from His Father.
If we truly believe all lives matter, then let’s put Black Lives Matter on our tables of discussion. While we are at it, let’s put protecting the lives of those with weakened immune systems back on the table, and wear masks to protect them until COVID19 is defeated. We need to practice humility and put others above ourselves.
I have so many friends from my years on TV who are journalists doing their jobs right now, and they are spread out now across the country. I have so many loved ones and people we are friends with, who are police. I have so many friends who tried to peacefully protest.
Heavenly Father, protect them all.
None of them condone rioting. There is a difference between protesting and rioting. I’m sitting with y’all right now. But I’m getting ready to stand up and have the uncomfortable conversations. I owe it to Jesus and my brothers and sisters of color, because I don’t want Jesus to one day look me in the eye and say, “I love you. Did you do enough for Me to bring others into My Father’s Kingdom?” and hang my head low in shame.
Michala sent this to me today, and I listened to a clip from his talk; but Pastor Julian Lowe of Oasis Church in Los Angeles said today, "If you love this country, God will use you to change it." He also said "there is a difference between response and responsibility as the church. The church has a responsibility to fight and speak up for the oppressed."
Let's change America, together. Let's do what we are called to do, and BE the church, and speak up for the oppressed. We have a responsibility.