Loving Your Neighbor Amidst This Struggle

As if the coronavirus pandemic wasn’t enough, now we are confronted with the demonstrations and fallout in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd.  The violence, fires, property damage and looting are not consistent with our core, traditional Christian values of nonviolence and neither is the taking of black lives at the hands (or knees) of police upper-handedness. 

I am deeply saddened by the chaos and violence being unleashed by some when so many truly are protesting non-violently for justice and the fair treatment of people of color within our society.  At times I wonder where we’re headed in the coming weeks and months as the pandemic fear is exacerbated by a growing fear from the unrest of daily (and nightly) civic life due to curfews and uncertainty.  I wish there were easy answers, but know such crucibles always require struggle.

In her book Beyond Apathy: A Theology for Bystanders, Dr. Elisabeth Vasko, writes,

It would be easy to think there’s nothing we can do in the face of all this due to the limitations of curfews, pandemic quarantine and the need for public safety.  But as people of faith, the least we can do is pray for justice and the loving, respectful treatment of all God’s children.  In addition, we can work to support and promote change in our public systems to eliminate injustices – so that we can not only embrace the truth that all people are created equal but that all people are treated equally. 

We live out the teaching of Jesus to love our “neighbor” as ourselves when there is not “betterness” between how we are treated and others are treated.  Privilege should not have to do with how some are treated and others are not – it is a God given identity that all people are equal and loved by God.  We follow in the way of Christ when we give of ourselves and serve others rather than seeking to be served - and when we sacrifice ourselves for the sake of others.

As we move through this time of uncertainly,  let us put our trust and faith in God and seek to follow Gods’ will knowing that good will come even in the midst of whatever pain and suffering might come as well. 

“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, 
who are called according to God’s purpose.”
(Romans 8:28)

A closing prayer that has long been offered in the midst of social injustice:

Lord, help us to realize the peace that is not the absence of tension,
but the presence of justice.  Amen.

May God’s peace come in our lives, our society and our world so that the sanctity of each and every life might be truly valued and celebrated.

Rev. Dr. David D. Young
Senior Minister