What Matters Most
As my Pastor, Ed Young says, “You have never locked eyes with someone that doesn’t matter to God.”
Like many of you, I have spent the last few days glued to my TV and social media watching tragedy unfold. I am heartbroken by what is happening across our country and my city. I am also very aware that we each see things from our own perspective and past. My perspective is that of a white girl from Texas that was raised in a police officer’s home. With that said, it is no surprise that the killing of five officers in Dallas would impact me in a profound way.
As I have watched the interviews from people like Police Chief David Brown and others that had attended the peaceful protest that lead up to the events, I have begun to see other points of view in a clearer way. I have a better understanding of #Blacklivesmatter, #alllivesmatter, #bluelivesmatter; we all just want to be heard and understood. I will never fully understand what it is like to tell your son to not to leave the house at night wearing a hoodie, but it doesn’t mean I don’t care. What I really long for is for us to rise up together.
Gods greatest command says "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Luke 10:27
Who is my neighbor? Everyone. Who are my literal next door neighbors? My neighbors on my left, they are Korean, my neighbors on the right are black, that is what makes America great! I was thinking about my Facebook friends list; it is a rainbow of amazing diversity. Men and women from around the country and around the world. Some of my FB friends I have known my whole life, while others I have never met in person. Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Agnostic, Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, LGBT, Republicans, Democrats, and the “I can’t bring myself to vote for either one” people. There are many things I adore about each and every one of them and I hope that they all know that. My prayer is always that people see Jesus in me. Jesus met people right where they are; with love not judgment.
I am praying for a revival in our country. I pray we can have a community as diverse as my friends list. A community where we truly see each other and respect one another’s struggles and fears and stand united. This should be the church. Where we rise up together.
You Matter.
You are Seen, You are Known, and You are Loved by The God of the Universe.
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2Chronicles 7:14