I went on YouTube and saw there was a live stream of protests going on in the San Francisco bay area tonight. I lived in the East Bay during most of 2019 and so this particularly peaked my interest. What I'm watching unfold is as compelling as any drama or thriller I’ve ever seen.
As you likely know, George Floyd was tragically and maliciously killed by a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I admit I have not watched the infamous video nor do I intend to as there is not one person from any range of the political spectrum that I have seen try to justify this murder. This is not out of ignorance, but I have a sensitive mind and do not wish to watch violence, death, or evil take place before my eyes, if I can help it. Please and thank you for respecting my choice to not watch that.
People are upset and rightfully so. Protests are going on in cities around the United States including Minneapolis, Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Richmond, Oakland, San Jose, even Des Moines among many others. As I scroll through my Facebook feed, I see anger…lots and lots of anger. You have a right to be angry. You should be angry.
I know, I know, I talk a lot about Jesus and the Bible, but hear me out… Jesus got angry too.
You know who Jesus got angry with the most? Those who were in charge and in high positions of power and leadership in the church. It wasn’t because they were in positions of power but because they abused their power and did evil acts while claiming to do them in the name of God.
Do you see people doing evil, claiming to do it for the sake of George Floyd? I do
Do you see people doing evil, claiming to do it for the sake of law enforcement? I do
Do you see people doing evil, claiming to do it for the sake of justice? I do
I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what to do. I’m not sure I can help this situation at all, but I am not without hope.
Now more than ever, we need to love one another. This means loving those you disagree with and even those who hate you. It's easy to love those who love you.
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same."
-Luke 6:27-33
God, please have mercy on our nation and this world.
Grace and Peace
-Normative Nomad
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