As I was celebrating the freedom of being an American citizen over this past week, two beautiful Americans were shot. No crime, no jury, no conviction – just shot.
This alone is tragic. The fact their skin color bears the history of racism just rips open centuries of wounds.
I’m white. Yet, I don’t really see people based on their skin. My brother is Filipino. Our family has seen first hand what racism looks like. I’ve never understood it.
I feel helpless to bring change.
I’ve been praying for wisdom and for change.
You see, over the same weekend, suicide bombers blew up a building in Baghdad and killed almost 300 people. All kinds of people – young, old, moms, kids, dads.
Our country may have a specific way that senseless violence takes place, but senseless violence is not unique to our country.
I keep asking myself and asking God, “What can I do? How does change happen?”
I don’t know.
But I know I won’t stay silent.
I will speak up when I can turn a wrong into a right. I will pray for all of my fellow Americans because things must change. I will look deep into my heart to be sure I have love for each person, not just some. I will spend time on my face before God whom I know loves every single person. I will take the precious moments of my day praying that God would move on my behalf, that He would bring change where I can’t, that He would bring healing to wounds I can’t touch, that He would change hearts that seem to have become stone.
I will pray because it is what has brought change in my life.
I will pray because I know God is able.
I will pray because God has already overcome the world and the rampant darkness.
I will believe change can come, though I don’t see it yet.
I will believe that senseless violence will come to an end.
For everyone impacted by this past week’s killings, I’m so very, very sorry for your loss, for our loss. I pray that the God of all comfort would be your comfort now.
