“First, they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
I still remember looking up, around the age of 10, to read this quote as I walked through the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. It has stuck with me since that day. These last few days, the tension that exists within our country, communities, and churches has left me with a heaviness that I have not felt in a long time. It is time to speak up for those experiencing great pain. Our brothers and sisters of color are hurting and it is long past time to speak up, for this I am sorry. I am sorry for not speaking up sooner. I lament for my unwillingness to trust and believe beyond my own bubble of influence. The time for change is here.
Justice is on our doorstep and the fiery change of God will either harden our hearts or melt our pride in the face of His glory. The issue at hand is much deeper than any political, social, and societal system. It is an issue of the heart, a sin against our brothers and sisters. Racism is evil and it pervades the systems that we continually cling to, whether for the benefit of ourselves or the detriment of others.
I used to be a change seeker and speaker in a much larger way in my youth, but I have grown tired from the battles that I have faced in my own life over the last few years. However, a friend of mine, when discussing the murder of George Floyd, helped me to recognize that the best thing we can do is to use our gifts for the sake of justice and truth. So, this is the reason I am writing, in hopes that God will illuminate our hearts to seek the grace and healing that can only come from Him.
The problem of pain is that it’s pain. It hurts, no matter how much you pretend otherwise. You can try your best to ignore it, to explain it away, or to distract yourself from it, but nerves are real things. Once lit, they’re as autonomous as the short fuses of a firecracker. They do what they were created to do. They spit sparks, carry fire to the brain, explode in a rush of chemicals. Pain is a pyromaniac.
(Seth Haines)
I read these words this morning, as a weekend of fires rage across this nation. May we be willing to recognize that pain reaches to the depths of the soul and is not easily controlled. The times in my life where I have handled pain poorly are too numerous to count. I cannot blame those struggling to cope with the continual trauma of let down and betrayal felt across this nation.
Truthfully, for years, I have walked through my life without a thought of fear in relation to the police. The most that I have felt is when my heart drops as a cop drives behind me on the interstate. This is a privilege. As division sparks in this nation, we must cling to truth. We must cling to the truth of God’s love, grace, and His desire for our repentant heart. We must hold onto the value of each and every life, no matter their color. We must cling to the hope that change will come. Pain is the spark for change, a catalyst that hopefully propels us in the direction of truth. I hope and pray that you will join me in seeking Him. Use your voice, your gifts, and your privilege to shape the change that we need so desperately right now.