Heartbreak and Fear

I generally shy away from writing about topics such as those that are currently plastered all over the media this week. But then I realized, people are hurting, people are searching, that doesn't seem like the time to stay silent. As a Christian my heart is breaking. As a mom, I find myself somewhat fearful.

I don't know if you've kept up with the headlines or watched the videos. If you have, I would imagine your heart breaks too.

My heart breaks not only over the headline events of the past week, but over the untold stories that don't get attention. Many of the stories this past week centered on racism. Racism comes from fear and misinformation and is very alive and well today no matter how much we try to ignore it. There are prejudices of all types alive and well today. But this isn't what is at the center of these and other events. Evil is. Evil comes in so many forms, perceived hatred for the color of ones skin just happens to be the one gaining attention at the moment.

As Christians we can't take sides with people groups. The only side we can stand on is God's side. We must love and pray for the salvation of all people. And mourn those who may never get the chance. We must boldly be sharing the gospel with all people, we can't count anyone out because of their past, their skin color, their occupation, their religion, their gender or sexual orientation. The Gospel changes everything. It is the only hope.

We cannot go on expecting change when we are doing nothing to bring about change. We can't keep the Gospel to ourselves and wonder why things seem to only be getting worse. We cannot expect peace and love from those who do not know the Prince of Peace, the Author of Life and Love. We must step up and care for the orphans and widows left behind regardless if it happened by a health crisis, car accident, gang violence, drugs, shooting, or suicide. We must pray for a 4 year old who sat in a car and watched as a man gets shot and bleeds to death while no one helped. We must pray for families who get calls every day that their loved one is not coming home because of evil. We must pray for a generation of youth being brought up thinking that all of the evils of the world, and there are many, are the norm. We must sense the urgency that these tensions bring.

Our hearts must break for what breaks the Lord's heart. Evil, hatred and rebellion break the Lord's heart. Disobedience of Christians to rise up and care for our communities also break the Lord's heart.

But we also can't live in fear. People whose skin is dark can't fear evil people who wish them harm just because. Women can't fear being preyed on just for being a woman. Police officers (and many other professions) can't fear going to work to serve our communities because they never know what's waiting for them that day.  Christians can't fear sharing the Gospel here or in other parts of the world. These are all part of who we are, who God has made us to be. And God tells us not fear. He tells us there will be evil in the world and we cannot fear it because he is in control. We must remain close to God now and all of the time. We must seek ways to share His love and heal our communities through our local churches. We must become a refuge for those who are hurting from all kinds of evils.

I'm not claiming to have all of, or for that matter, any answers, other than God. God is the only one who can heal. I don't know where we go from here except prayer. I pray for the tension in America right now that keeps escalating because of fear. I pray for peace in my heart as I raise a 16 year old boy with dark skin who is sometimes judged based on just that. Who aside from that, is a teenager and is easily swayed by peers, the media and celebrities who make bold statements about what is right and wrong because often Christians aren't speaking as boldly into teenagers lives as everyone else is. I pray for all of the police officers I know and their families who do fear the tension happening right now, that they would find peace as they seek to serve and protect our communities. I pray for our nation as we head into elections and the turmoil surrounding that. I pray for Christian leaders on the international, national and local level as they are looked up to for answers about how to deal with all of the evils of the world. I pray for the courage of all Christians (myself included) to look around and see what needs aren't being met in their own communities and neighborhoods. Moms that need help putting food on the table, kids that need school supplies, a ride to church or even socks or underwear, dads that need jobs, families that need hope, people who need a friend, anyone who needs Jesus.

We can't live in fear.
We can't be paralyzed in our heartbreak.
We can't stay silent.
We can't take sides.
We can share the Gospel.
We can pray for change.