In the Midst of “Black Lives Matter”
It’s everywhere, in the news, on social media, in conversations, and in movies. The fact that there have been deaths, senseless deaths because of racism and the innate need to be above others.
Are you tired? I know I am. I don’t want to hear about it anymore. It’s hard to suppress the fear after such an onslaught of information, hopelessness, and death, as I take a walk and there’s a white man walking behind me. I’m tired of calculating how much of a prey I am as a woman and black person. It feels like there’s so much to deal with. Covid-19, the possibility of unemployment, racism, and no sense of what the future says.
However, my thought this morning was:
The good news would be bad if it only assured us of the possibility to live a great life on earth. A life without stress, worries, fear, oppression, poverty etc.. I am not saying I want any of these things. I am saying I have experienced and felt some of these and yet, I am still here. I am still a positive, joy filled, hopeful, fun, and friendly individual.
Apart from being an emotional person, I have a tendency to be impatient when actions aren’t taken and systems aren’t working fluidly. I was worse. The positive is that I like to get things done as soon as possible. However, God has taught me and is still teaching me patience. I had to wait seemingly in limbo after my undergraduate degree for a year and a half and this passage stuck with me then: 2 Peter 1:5–8
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I have learned that its not about looking to get out of a situation, but understanding how to build your character during those moments. The even better news is that someone is with you, concerned about you, interested and loves you even in this season that’s not rosy, if you just believe.
Faith: It all starts with faith. Faith and the belief that God is with you and loves you! This is the beginning and end of faith. However, in addition, since we know God is all powerful, then faith in the fact that he can help us and will ordain a good ending for us!
Goodness: if you truly believe and have faith in God then the result and fruit would be goodness. Despite the urge to be negative and unpleasant, you will be kind and good to others because you have assurance that Jesus loves and is with you. In the end, the goodness of God abounds in whatever situation we find ourselves in.
Knowledge: eventually as you act in faith and exhibit fruits of the spirit.. you will grow in the knowledge of God. You will develop knowledge to understand situations the way God wants you to. This has been my experience, and when I look back on situations, I smile, because God has a sense a humour and it’s great to gain knowledge of that.
Self-control: as you’re working in the goodness of God and gaining knowledge of God. You will be able to control your knee jerk reaction to the situation. Eventually, you will learn to control your mind to focus on Jesus and not the situation around you.
Perseverance: as you learn to control your emotions and thoughts, you receive the grace to continue believing in God. Faith, goodness, self-control, and knowledge would abound and be a continual exercise.
Godliness: if all these are at work then I’m pretty sure, like me, you’ll start grasping the concept of contentment. Understanding that God is in control, knowing that Jesus loves you, letting the Holy Spirit guide you, and leaving the rest to God. The confusing and seemingly unattainable concept of contentment will make more sense to you.
Mutual affection, love: then you will understand the fullness of God’s love. Not at your problem solver solely, but as your father, mother, teacher etc.. as the one who knows all things and is building your character to be what he wants it to be.. what he created/destined it to be. I’d take character over material things. I’ll take a great relationship over the tangible.
In essence, it’s okay to turn off the noise. It’s okay to keep your mind solely on Jesus because He understands exactly what the world is going through. He knows what the black community feels. He was persecuted and killed.
Jesus’ life matters.
I hope you enjoyed reading this piece. Please clap and share! Thank you!
