I’m grieving with Buffalo today, grieving with the families of the victims whose lives were taken during a racist attack.
I’m still processing what has happened…
Thinking about what can be said and how to respond…
And in doing so I am reminded today of this, how my words will always be inadequate and my sentiments will fall short in moments like these…
In these abhorrent reoccurring instances where there is an absolute disregard for human life based upon skin color.
My words are not merely enough to express the hurt, heaviness, and pain felt across the board. In the black and brown communities not only in Buffalo.
My words on this may even come across as resounding brass to the hurting, the grief-stricken, and those who are in pain. Because it is the reality of our words.
But the Word of the Lord…
His words are life. It’s the only place I know to turn to in times like this.
And maybe I’m naive in thinking that God is the first and most important place to go when I’m hurting. But he’s proven to me, time and time again to be trustworthy, faithful, and true.
I understand, the call for action with the sentiment that thoughts and prayers aren’t enough. Because we’ve seen little to no change over the years.
But could it be that many are not thinking and not praying about a change until something like this happens? Could it be that the walls of racism and injustice would fall like the walls of Jericho if we really dared to pray?
Could it be, that God is looking for someone to stand in the gap to sincerely pray but has found no one? I don’t know. But if we believe the prayers of the righteous are indeed powerful and effective, we will continue to believe that our prayers can and will make a difference.
Because when we pray, when we open our mouths and speak the Word of God, things do change. Things do happen, the atmosphere changes lives change, and we change.
There is hope.
Burdens are lifted, and Heaven meets earth. Not because of anything we have done but because of everything that God has done.
So today, I’m grieving with Buffalo and I am praying for them.
And I am praying for an end to racial violence.
May we be sensitive to the Spirit of God in how he’s leading us to pray. And how he’s leading us to be His hands and feet in our communities during this time.
“Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. John 6:68 NIV
Keep the faith. God is near.
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