Ferguson

Whether you agree or not with the decision made in Ferguson, I think it’s important that it’s on our minds and that we are praying for our nation.

---

Last month the Office of Multicultural and Global Education (OMGE) sponsored a Candlelight Vigil in remembrance of the black lives that have been lost to police brutality. Originally I planned to attend the event to show support and pay my respects, but an hour before the program Andy, the protestant Chaplin on campus, called me and asked if I wanted to speak at the event. I accepted and went straight to work. After praying and spending twenty minutes here is what I came up with:

 I’ve lived a fairly comfortable and protected life.

As the world continued in its chaos, I stayed in bliss.

I learned to not watch the news- it only blasted negativity.

I even conditioned myself to ignore the hatred and anger that surrounded and affected me.

I stupidly believed that if I ignored it, it would go away.

But let’s be honest- that is a selfish way to live life.

I cannot ignore the world and pretend that injustice is not alive.

I cannot pretend that everything is ok

Because it is not

And I am not ok

I am not ok with walking around this campus

Knowing that people do not know the horrors and pains that my brothers and sisters have endured.

I am not ok with sitting in a class, knowing that a large percent of my peers will never have to know the pain I do.

My heart hurts for the world.- I mourn it daily.

But scripture says in John 16:33

“In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world”

So although I feel this pain, I have this hope that produces perseverance, joy, and love.

It is important to share our stories with others.

Ignorance simply cannot be an excuse anymore.

We must share our burdens, struggles, and pains with others.

Why- I’ve asked this question so many times.

And I realized that knowledge combats against ignorance. But even more than that, love does. Love conquers evil.

When we share our stories and the stories of others

Our peers, teachers, friends, family, and overall communities must make a choice.

They have to decided whatever they will make a change or ignore it- like I had.

I have this hope for those who ignore the truth,

Because one day I woke up from my artificial world and realized that life isn’t how it was intended to be.

And so we must love more than anything.

We must love each other.

We must love those who wrong us.

We must love those who do not understand

We must love those who choose to ignore.

Because I was loved. And I choose now not to ignore.

I choose to share my story because perhaps one day it will wake someone else up.

 

I’m sharing this with you all because as members of the body of Christ our hearts must break for what God’s heart breaks for. God cares for these problems. He cares when injustice is being done. Just like He cares for you and me, He cares about Mike Brown and the family that he left behind.He cares for Darren Wilson and his family.

So here is what I leave with you. A challenge. Or perhaps this is a question. Clearly I care about civil rights, and more recently than ever before my heart has been breaking for justice. Justice for humankind. In my speech I talked about how we must love. But I also believe that   we must trust in the fact that God will have the final say and that He is calling each and every one of us to share the hope in him. Are you living a comfortable life to the point that your heart is hardened to the realities of this world? I challenge you to ask God what it is in your life or the world that you can specifically be praying for.

-KJ

A Response for Stephanie

 It is very much indeed a touchy subject throughout this nation, and i could not agree more about emphasizing love.

I can’t help but zone in on injustice.  It just leads me to think of the one who had suffered the most injustice…Jesus.

Am I comparing Mike Brown to Jesus, absolutely not.

But I just can’t help to think if we would hurt so much, feel so much and shout out from the rooftops about Jesus and the injustice he suffered for us (collectively and completely colorblind), we would not be here.

  We would not have to hear about looters, protests, rioters that are endangering the lives of others, the work places being destroyed, that are the only source of income for families and now have nothing left.  People as well as their families are now being treated to an injustice because of an injustice they feel has happened to those that people may not have ever heard of or have even seen if these events had not occurred.

But Jesus- in one way or another someone has been to an Easter service, has a praying grandmother, a zany coworker that preaches on a lunch break; His injustice has been the talk of the town, but we still wake up, get our coffee, and are on our way to live our lives.

But back on track; Yes, do we need to love more definitely.  Do we have to pray, yes continually…

Educate, yes

Does he care for Mike Brown, his family and the many others who have been victims absolutely!  But we must remember God also cares for those officers and their families.

Ephesians 6:12

For we are not fighting against flesh–and–blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Matthew 5:45 [Full Chapter]

In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.

 

 

So let us continue to pray for not just Ferguson but for our world.