Yesterday morning, I went to eat breakfast in my hotel
before driving back to Atlanta, GA to catch my flight home. I had traveled to
attend my college teammate’s wedding. I walked into the breakfast area to find
to TV tuned to CNN and a news story featuring Donald Trump. I also saw a black
woman starring at the TV. She worked there in the hotel and her role was to
service the breakfast area. She had a slender frame and her hair was short and
natural. I don’t know how old she was or if she had a family of her own. I don’t
know if she was a Jesus follower or not. She looked concerned as she stared at
our newly elected president on that screen. I believe she has every right to be
concerned given his statements and behavior toward people of color.
I had no idea how she would receive me – an unfamiliar white
woman. I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me in her direction. I gently put my hands
on her shoulders and said, “You don’t have to watch that.” As she turned to me,
we began to hug for a brief moment. Then she said, “I guess we just need a hug
sometimes.” I instantly became a friend. We talked briefly about the outcome of
the election and the grief we are both feeling. Then she looked at me with
tears welling up in her eyes and asked as she placed her hand on her chest, “What
does this say about us?” Not us as a nation, although that is a valid question.
Not us as in her and me. She was asking what does this say about her (and all
African-American citizens of the US) that so many people would look past the
character of this man and elect him as our new leader? Her question is does my
life matter and does my experience in this nation matter to anyone who looks
different than me?
I hope in those moments she knew that her beautiful dark
brown person and her experiences that have been very different than mine matter
to me. I hope that I was a blessing to her and her life was somehow better
because of my willingness to reach out to a stranger.
As I began my drive to Atlanta, I prayed for her and people
who are feeling that same hurt and fear. I prayed that no matter what other
people say or think she will know that she is a unique creation of an Almighty
Creator. I prayed that no matter how unloved she feels in her own nation she is
loved by the King of the Universe.
It is no secret that we are facing challenges in this world.
There is nothing new about that, but it feels new if we don’t study history and
recognize the brokenness of our world. We do hold differing opinions on the
solution to those challenges. We do hold strong convictions about whose fault
it is that we have to deal with our particular challenges. It seems easier to
assign blame than take responsibility for our part. It seems the hate and anger
of some is infiltrating the hearts and minds of many. I know I struggle to
guard my heart and mind from the volumes of information that sit at my
fingertips each day.
Jeremiah 29:13 says “You will seek me and find me when you
seek me with your whole heart.” It is so hard to really do that when there are
so many voices competing for our attention. It is even harder when some of
those voices claim to speak on behalf of your religious beliefs or strongest
convictions. About 3 weeks ago I was wrestling with God over decisions I am
working through. I wanted so desperately to talk to people that lonely Monday
morning, but there was no one to be found. My lunch plans were canceled. My
friends were busy at work. It was clear God was saying, “Lynette, you just need
to talk to me!” I spent that whole day walking and praying, crying and
listening, singing and reading scripture. It was hard. By the end of the day,
the only human beings I had spoken to were my husband and children. It was
hard, but it was good. God was providing clarity as I chose to spend time with
him asking questions and seeking his direction apart from the influence of the
world.
I recognize the fear and anxiety I experience when God is
asking me to follow his plan and make changes in the way I live so I am more in
line with his purpose. I am making a decision to stand up in the face of fear
of that which I don’t understand. I want to live a life recklessly abandoned to
the Glory of God. I am choosing to temporarily reside in this broken world, but
claim my citizenship in the Kingdom of the ONE TRUE KING.
When I make the choice to turn away from fear and my selfish
ambition and turn toward God’s goodness, I can more clearly see the world as he
sees it. I can begin to put the needs of another ahead of my own. I can set
aside my desire for comfort, easy living, and American security so that God can
shape and mold my character. I can recognize my mission here on earth as a
citizen of God’s Kingdom is to make his name great so that people of every age,
gender, race and sin will know and worship him.
In order to live out that mission, I need to…
1. Recognize I have been put here for such a
time as this.
In Esther 4:14-17 Mordecai spoke these words
to Esther as he appealed to her to put her life on the line to stop the plot of
Hamen to have all the Jews annihilated. Her response was to fast and pray and go
before the King, even if she was sentenced to death, out of obedience for the
good of others.
2. Understand that being a peacemaker doesn’t
mean I will have no adversity.
Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all
times, and a brother is born for adversity.” In order to be a peacemaker, I have
to be willing to enter into difficult situations and conversations to more
toward a healthier place. Going through adversity with a fellow believer,
confronting issues head on, will serve to build a stronger bond between us so
we can be about God’s mission.
3.
Be
willing to hurt with another person, not because I myself hurt always, but
because the fact that they are hurt concerns me. Colossians 3:12-13 says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe
yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with each other and forgive one
another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord
forgave you.”
I want to lead with these qualities. I want non-Christians to see me living this way so they are drawn to the Gospel and I create opportunities to share the Good News with them.
I will no longer live and life of apathy – a life so full of
my own stuff that I have no room for someone else’s. I will speak up when I see
and hear injustice. I will hug a complete stranger if I can bring hope and joy to
her day. I will speak the truth in love so that a marginalized person or
non-Christian will know that while we were all enemies of God, he sent Jesus to
die in our place and pay the penalty for our sins. I will meet people with
forgiveness and compassion NOT fear and self-righteousness.
I have been put here for such a time as this so I will pray
and go before the king and if that means I lose my life (figuratively or
literally) so be it.
