This week, I have had some significant conversations (and online chats) that have gotten me thinking about the recent events in our country and our world. Our nation is at a precipice. COVID-19 and the economic collapse that accompanied the shut down were just the beginning. And as the country remained in lockdown, we have seen a rise in mental health issues that have contributed to an increase in alcohol, drug addiction, domestic abuse, and suicides. The last thing America needed was another crisis, but another crisis came anyway. The world witnessed the murder of George Floyd. For 8 minutes and 46 seconds, we all witnessed his pain. We also witnessed three other police officers standing by and doing nothing. 

I can’t remember so much calamity in my life within a three-month window. Oh, I forgot to mention that we have called in hospice for my father. I’ve had a lot of time to reflect over these past few months. The one question that I always hate to ask because there is never an easy answer is this. What is God doing in me in this season of turmoil? Furthermore, what lessons can I take with me into this next season of life? I hope all of us who call themselves Christ-followers are doing the same thing.   

Our country is clearly divided along many different lines. Right now, racial division is at the forefront, and we are seeing the hurt and outrage being played out on social media and on the news. I’ve observed close friends engaging in senseless debates on Facebook about every topic under the sun, including COVID, politics, and, most recently, the racial division. 

Black Lives Matter Versus All Lives Matter

Here’s the most common argument right now, even among some Christians. We see someone posting #BLM or #Blacklivesmatter, and the typical response among some seems to be, “No, #allllivesmatter!” I understand the reaction because to be perfectly honest and totally transparent, I was in this place myself several years ago when the Black Lives Matter movement started. 

I recently had a conversation with an African-American brother, and he explained #blacklivesmatter to me in more detail. The first and most important thing I did was to just listen. What I heard him say was profound. Now I must confess that I have never taken much time to listen and analyze my own beliefs about racism, white privilege, and the inequalities that still exist in our country. My friend shared a little of his story about walking into stores with his sons and being followed around. As I listened, I thought to myself, “This is something I have never experienced personally.” White privilege is a real thing. African-Americans, especially males do feel as if they are treated differently. He said, “Bill, of course, I believe that #alllivesmatter. Black Lives Matter isn’t about devaluing other lives. What we are saying is that black lives matter, too. It was at that moment that I began to understand the cause a little better.  

The Good Samaritan

Let’s study Luke 10 and read the parable of the Good Samaritan to frame this discussion. “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.

The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

We don’t know much about the man in question. The person’s background, history, or behavior were never revealed other than he was Jewish. This man could have been an ordinary citizen. He might have been a politician. Maybe he was a criminal. Or perhaps he was even a terrorist. For all we know, this man could have been involved in the desecration of the Samaritan temple. The Jews and the Samaritans routinely committed what we would call “hate crimes” against each other. We really don’t know his story, and we don’t know if the Samaritan didn’t either. What he saw was a man in need, and he knew it was his duty to help. 

The Church Must Rise

If there was ever a moment in history when the church needs to rise, it’s now. We can’t afford petty arguments and debates, especially on social media. Christians must commit to defend, protect, and help anyone of any race, religion, or political belief when they are being unjustly harmed. A mentor of mine recently made a point that we must begin to work towards clear, definable goals. We must listen and learn from those who are different from us. As a church, we must also lament with those who are hurting. Finally, we must love others unconditionally, even when they speak ill of us. 

More to come.

Bill

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