Who Really Matters?

 Black Lives?  Blue Lives? 

All Lives? 

“Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.  Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world.”

As I sit at my computer typing this article, I struggle to find the words to convey my inner thoughts about what and who really matters.  Our society is inundated with hate crimes, riots, brutality, and hurting people of all colors.  As a white male, I cannot imagine how those of color feel as they read the stories about the oppression of their ancestors who were enslaved; or, how one might wonder if they are the targets of police brutality.   On the other hand, I can’t imagine being a police officer that patrols the streets of a community, only to become the target of those bent on hatred, getting even or a blatant disregard for authority. 

I’ve been wondering if the clash between police officers and those of color is really about hate or does it go deeper than one’s feeling about another?  Is it possible that the clash is deeply rooted in what we teach our children about historical events and/or the dislikes about one another? 

What if…

What if parents taught their children about how we treat each other?  Jesus said it best in Matthew 7:12, “Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them.” (MSG) It is true that there are some no matter how you treat them, they will be pessimistic and hard to love; however, when kindness, gentleness and patience are the leading attributes in a person’s life, it will help clean up a world polluted by evil intentions and helps solve the problem of bigotry.

What if churches all across our nation, no matter the ethnicities or colors or beliefs would unite as a people of God?  Jesus prayed this prayer to his dad, “I’m praying not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me.  Because of them and their witness about me.  The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, So they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.” John 17:20-21 (MSG) Sunday mornings in our nation is the most segregated day of the week, yet, for believers in Jesus, it is the most important day of the week.  There are sermons preached about unity, yet it isn’t practices beyond the walls of the church house.  Sermons are preached about love, yet the evidence is clear by the segregation of believers.  It is interesting how we cannot meet in the same church house, but we can meet up with others of faith at a restaurant after the church gathering.  People of faith, it is time to change our behavior and start finding commonality in Jesus, rather than allow our traditions, theologies, ethnicity and skin color to separate us.    

What if we loved the children of the world, red and yellow, black and white?  Paul said it right to the believing Christian in Galatia, “In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ.” Galatians 3:28 (MSG) Truth be told, we all matter.  Black lives matter.  So do to the lives of white, yellow, red, brown or whatever color is out there.  Cops matter, too.  So do, doctors, janitors, lawyers, teachers, sanitation workers, preachers, and the list goes on and on and on. 

Rise up, America!  See the value in our differences, unique skin tones, ideas, heritage, culture, and faith.  God has created each of us for his purposes and plans.  Stand up, America!  Stand for unity.  Stand for truth.  Stand for love.  Stand for God. 

What if the world were just like you, what kind of world would it be? 

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian