I Don’t Understand? Illuminate Me!

But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. – Ephesians 5:13

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God – James 1:19-20

 

Recent events that have cascaded from the death of George Floyd – the demonstrations, the rioting, the political turmoil and the social demands for change often seem to be more about spreading the pain. The people who have felt the pain, who have experienced pain, desire for others to know and even share in their pain.

Yet, I struggle to hear from the demonstrators and rioters’ clearly define what is at the core of their pain. Certainly, there is police brutality, but I initially was not clear on what constitutes systemic racism.

I was reminded of my children when their emotions would boil over in very real frustration and anger. We parents ask, “What’s wrong? We want to help.” But the child throws their hands up and runs off screaming, “You just don’t understand!”

You’re right, I don’t understand. Help me understand. Illuminate me.

The problem is that pain and emotions have taken over. It is often not until after some time when the emotion has subsided that the real communication and understanding can begin. Yet, even though I don’t like the confusing cry of pain it has gotten my attention.

I don’t like what is going on. But, all the demonstrations and rioting and destruction reflects deep-seeded frustration with the way the world operates. Even the greatest economic and political and social system that has produced the greatest freedom and prosperity for the greatest number of people the world has ever known is bound to be corrupted by the sin of man.

With man at the helm, sinful selfishness will rise up to expose greed, power-lust, deception, injustice and bigotry. It is becoming painfully obvious and inviting many to rise up and revolt against the unfairness of it all. Before you think I’m going off on a political rant, let me clarify that all of what I described is the sinfulness of man which will inevitably drive us into despair and ugliness and ruin.

It is all so simple!

As Christ-Followers we have the perfect example to follow in the person and the character of Jesus Christ.

Though he was tempted in every way as we are tempted, but by the Father’s leading and through the power of the Holy Spirit he lived a perfect life having never sinned. Having never demonstrated prejudice or bigotry or degrading another human – not Hebrews, not Samaritans, not Gentiles, not Romans, not Greeks, not male or female, not rich or poor, not black, brown or white (we aren’t even certain of his skin color). I would argue that he did not even exhibit any of these sinful behaviors toward the religious authorities that tortured and killed him.

Right now, I can hear people crying out, “That’s a cop-out! There are many Christians who are guilty of staying silent concerning the ongoing elements of racism in our culture!” And I have to honestly respond – True!

I said it was simple, I didn’t say it was easy.

Many of us are selective about what we imitate when we follow Jesus. Why? Either we wantonly resist following what we know to be true or we are ignorant of the truth. We have blind spots that we are completely oblivious to.

Or, it is possible that we have become numb to the evils in this world to the point we accept them as normal? Pastor William McDowell of Deeper Fellowship Church, a Black man even acknowledged how numb he was when others first sent him the video of George Floyd’s death. He initially shook his head in disgust but thought, “These things happen so much. Whatever.” and just moved on in his daily routine. He later realized that he had become separated from his emotions to cope with the regular episodes of evil that attack our senses. He had to be shaken out of his numbness to let the personal pain from this horrific event to surface.

So, what do we do?

I believe that this is one of the main purposes of the church – the body of Christ. Without judgement, we are challenged to call out the sin amongst us and to lovingly encourage one another to grow into the fullness of Christ. As a part of that we are to help each other identify the blind spots and blemishes that God wants to actually meet the desires of our own hearts to clean up and be further molded into the image of Christ.

It is difficult. I, for one, have never considered myself a racist. I try to show Christ-like respect and love for all people. I happened to have been born in certain circumstances, like everyone, not of my choosing. I’d classify my life experience growing up as ‘privileged middle-class’ that has colored and defined how I see the world around me. Therefore, I have blind spots relative to those who have a completely different life experience.

Yet, we are challenged in 1 Corinthians 12:26 – And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

What we are going through right now could be considered an opportunity for spiritual cleansing – purification. A time for many of us to grow into a more accurate image of Christ. And together experience that oneness as the true Body of Christ. What do we need to do that?

It Begins With Illumination!

Those who know and have lived this kind of suffering to illuminate what many of us would not or could not see. We are seeing more and more excellent dialogues happening where those in our communities who have suffered under bigotry and racism are speaking up to open our eyes and shine a light on what many of us have been blind to.

James 5:16 – Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

As our sin is exposed by the light, the answer is not to get mired in guilt and self-degradation as some would have us do, but to do as Paul writes in Philippians 3:12-14 – Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

To acknowledge our sin, to accept God’s grace, to push who we’ve been behind us and press forward to display all the goodness, righteousness and truth of God through our life. And then, individually and collectively be even more empowered to address the ills of this world.

In my previous post, I talked about the new covenant standard for prophesy is not for a select few but something Paul hoped all Christ-followers would engage in. He writes in 1 Corinthians 14:3 – But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

Hearing God’s voice and then being God’s mouthpiece for one another that can breathe life into our dry bones. The onus is somewhat on all of us to establish relationships within the community where we can honestly express and talk/pray through our feelings. If we are not willing to do that we are not being fair to ourselves and to the community – not giving the community a chance to “love one another.”

James 5:16 – Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Paul writes in Ephesians 4 that we should “bear” with one another in love. That doesn’t just mean that we are “putting up with” or simply accommodating one another, or even appreciating one another, but even with our imperfections we lift each other up to an exalted place and celebrate each other’s uniqueness in Christ.

Now, at this time as Christ-followers we must stand to bear up our brothers and sisters of color and agree, “Black Lives Matter!”

Yet, if anything in this life is to truly matter we must first be dedicated to declaring . . .

“Christ’s Life In Us Matter’s Most!”

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Please watch and give a listen to this beautiful and timely song written and performed by Zabbai with Jhislani entitled Illuminate. Crying out to hear from God to illuminate the way.

Find the YouTube link to the video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIa12qMhHqc