It has been a very hard few months for our country and world. The coronavirus pandemic has negatively impacted our financial present and future, and brought fear into the hearts of people everywhere. Now our entire country is suffering from the aftermath of yet another horrendous act of social injustice – the murder of George Floyd. Every human life is precious and created in the image of God, and deserves the right to be protected.
I have really struggled to find the words to say to the Christian Blue community regarding this situation, and address the re-opened wounds of human and racial injustice that plague our land. It has made me both sad and angry – two emotions that I generally try to avoid. But I am compelled to say something, trusting the guidance of the Holy Spirit here. This situation affects us all. We can no longer stand on the sidelines of injustice and inequality. Not as Christians. Not as brothers and sisters in Christ who hail from every nation, tribe, and tongue.
My purpose here is to address the inhumane action of one man towards another that led to death. I’m asking that you support our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who are being affected by all this. Unfortunately, the violent protesting and looting in the aftermath of this crime takes away from the critical message here – the voices of human and racial injustice that need to be heard.
As a Christian, I believe that the church needs to take the lead, by “doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8). We cannot simply point the finger at the other guy. We cannot change someone else’s heart. But we can ask the Lord to “search me and know me, and test my anxious thoughts, and see if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way” (Psalm 139:23-24). As much as it depends on me, I can choose to live at peace with all people.
Edmund Burke said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men [people] to do nothing.” We must do something – every believer in Christ must do something to stand up to human injustice, racism, and misuse of force by those in any positions of power. We need to call sin a sin and stand united against it.
God calls his children to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Our neighbors desperately need us. May we, God’s people, humble ourselves and pray, and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways. Then, as He did with Israel (in this 2 Chronicles 7:14 reference), God promises to hear from heaven, and forgive our sin, and heal our land.
In light of this, here are some action steps we can take as the body of Christ in response:
- Encourage your church leadership to begin the dialogue of race relations within the church body.
- Let your voice be heard in the judicial system by exercising your right to vote and embracing the summons of jury duty.
- Speak up against racist or derogatory comments made by others.
- Pray regularly that God in his mercy would heal the racial divide in the Church and our country.
Amen, come Lord Jesus.
Darrel Geis, President & CEO
Christian Blue Network
For more on the issue of race relations,
see https://christianblue.com/wp/have-compassion/
Comments 4
I agree 100%, our Christianity must lead and not our race. We must be okay being uncomfortable and have some tough conversations. If we move forward with the Love of God as our center, then we will achieve Victory no matter how bad or ugly the fight may get.
Amen.
Darrel – Thank you for your leadership.
We need everyone, Christian and non-Christian alike, to know that the central tenant of our faith is “love for neighbor”, even when we don’t know or like our neighbor. When we have the courage to align our political and economic systems to this belief so it can be enacted throughout our land, we will be fulfilling our call as Christians and as human beings.
Darrell, thank you for courageously speaking truth. I am all-in on this, having been personally, deeply hurt by these latest and centuries of injustice against people who look like me. I am encouraged by the pastors who are coming together to work for change. It will take all of us who carry the name of Christ working together to finally become the salt and light the Lord Jesus has called us to be in this fallen world.
Yes, I am in full agreement with your words and deeply appreciate the practical instructions you’ve offered. These are action steps we can [and must] all take. Darrell, thank you for your continued leadership and trusted guidance in our community. You are greatly valued by us all.