Robert Burns 1784
This week, the video of George Floyd’s murder reached out from our screens and tore our hearts and our country apart. Every time I watch the video, it shakes me to the core, as I witness this man’s undeserved, last unceremonious moments. As he begged for air, I couldn’t breathe, as his life was snuffed out under a cold boot on the curb of a dirty street. I still can’t shake the sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach. I feel helpless witnessing “man’s inhumanity to man” once again.
If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot [a] love God whom he has not seen.
1 John 4:20 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Launch and the Poison
I’m a space freak, and despite the unexplainable joy, this Space X launch brings me, the poison of the act still pumps through my weak heart. Hate doesn’t begin with a boot on a man’s neck. Man’s inhumanity starts in the heart, and its solidified by judgments and radicalized by fear. We surround ourselves with echo chamber acquaintances. The conception of hate is seemingly innocuous as it begins small, judging others by their looks, their clothes, their car, their skin color, social-economic status, religious and political differences. Left unchecked, we grow callous to one another who God loves.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
John 10:10 English Standard Version (ESV)
The First Murder
The act of murder was present in the very first generation out of Eden; Cain murdered his brother Abel. The innocent will die; injustice will have its way; violence will happen. We are all poisoned with the venom of sin that runs through our veins through each generation. The enemy and hater of God tricked us into taking the poison and still does today. We can’t get out of life without causing pain or experiencing pain, but there is an antidote. Blood that flowed from the cross shed in exchange for ours, which was tainted. It’s the only cure.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21 New International Version (NIV)
Overcoming Evil Starts With Us
I’ve been asking God to search my heart and see if there is anything in me that is prejudice or callous. I lay my anxious thoughts before him and let Him lead me in an everlasting way of love. I can’t eliminate violence and prejudice in the world, but I can speak out where I see it and work on my own anger and issues. The world has enough evil; I don’t need to contribute to it, even in my heart. It reminded scripture that helped me devise my plan to battle Stage 4 breast cancer. Romans 12:21. Let’s do good within ourselves and in our communities.
Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart;
Psalm 139:23-24 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Test me and know my anxious thoughts
And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me,
And lead me in an everlasting way.
Prayer
God, I lay before you any judgments and anger towards others for the wrong they have done to me. If there is any wicked, prejudice, or hurtful way in me, take it, and lead me in the way of love. I will deal with those things as you bring them to me. I lift to you my fears the anxieties that help hold that anger and bitterness in place. I give you, God the hardness of my heart that I use to protect myself and ask for your wisdom instead. God help heal our country, have mercy on us, and give our leaders wisdom and understanding. I humbly ask for your will, mind, and heart to guide us and our country in love and grace towards one another. God, let everyone who reads this know how much you love them. We will do our part and pray that you heal our broken, divided, and torn land.
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 English Standard Version (ESV)
