Of all the times to be born…many of us older Americans have witnessed advances in medicine, technology, transportation, race and ethnic relations, foreign relations, social relations, a breakdown in morality, a redefining of family values, and so much more. And sometimes, as in the events of the last five months and last week, it feels like a step back in time. Not a good step and not a new normal. We have a generation of Americans that are experiencing the ugly history, many believed had been left behind. 

Someone said “I’m not calling on WASHINGTON to do anything. I’m talking about the church— a church that has stood idly by and said next to nothing for decades when it comes to the persecution our African-American brothers and sisters have experienced in this country. Yes, I am angry. But my anger is directed at the church, who will gather in the hundreds of thousands to rally for American freedoms and for the rights of the unborn, but will largely stay silent when it comes to racial injustice. And I’m angry that a corrupt system has failed our African-American brothers and sisters and that many still have to fear for their lives when it comes to the police and the justice system. But make no mistake— I expect nothing from Washington D.C.

And I’m like… “the church has not only stood by but participated and enjoyed and taken advantage … but all will be revealed.. that’s what scripture says. It’s an all around difficult time.

Luke 8:17 “For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.”

Most Christians know the church is not the Body of Christ. So, what is the role of the Body of Christ during times of unrest, and turmoil? Yes, we are to pray. We are to trust God in all things. But, we cannot escape our humanity. The desires of our heart lead our actions, our behaviors, and shape our attitudes. We were all created by God. And Jesus came to reconcile man to their Creator, but Jesus was rejected and crucified. Now, we know we are the child of one of two fathers. We are either a child of God the Father, or a child of the devil. So, here we are today. What message are we conveying to a lost world? Before we are anything, we are children of the living God. We were meant to be light. Anything else falls short of the glory of God. “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… (Romans 3:23)” Knowing our identity in Christ is the only way we can know our role for such a time as this. 

Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

“And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

“So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”

In the year 2020 we have seen:

• Impeachment of a President, 
• A Pandemic,
• Loss of Jobs and Industry, businesses shutting down
• Weeks of Stay at home orders
• We’ve had to wear masks, and stay 6 ft apart
• Documented killings of unarmed people of color.
• Protests/riots have flared up across the nation

And here we are the last day of the month of May. What does the month of June hold in store for us? 

Stay safe. Pray. Blessing to you.