I have spent hours thinking about what to write – if anything. I do not live in Ferguson or Missouri, I do not know the Brown family or anyone who knows them, I do not know the Wilson family, and I am not black. So how can I, a white man in rural Kansas, have any insight or wisdom about what is going on in Ferguson today? As a pastor, I have a responsibility to the church that God has made me a steward of. If my church family needs help thinking through these issues, I am bound to help them. I have a duty to guide and lead them through these tough issues. I am not bound or have a duty to anyone else.
As I was thinking about these things, God lead me to understand something. I do have a duty to my community – to help my town in any way possible from being a powder keg for ANY disturbances or disagreements we may have. Please do not take me wrong – a death … any death … is not a disturbance or a disagreement. I cannot imagine the pain the family is feeling after losing one of their own in this way. I cannot imagine what Officer Wilson is going through knowing he took the life of another human being. The resulting violence, rioting and looting – these things are disturbances coming from disagreements. These things were unnecessary and really did not make their community better or grow. In fact, it probably did the opposite.
As a society we need to be able to be honest with each other – even brutally honest. We need to be able to use our own words and be able to define those words on our own, before someone takes offence. We need to be able to share our hurt without the other side hurting back. We need to be able to agree that we may be different – but not necessarily wrong.
These are the things I have observed in society, in religion, and in conflicts around the world that need to addressed. Even in my small town of 1200-1300 people, we have sharp disagreements about how to proceed as a town. The Church here averages about 100 people on a Sunday and we differ in how to move forward on His Mission. I really do not think most of the ideas are wrong or bad – but they are different. It is really not about race, religion, or age – these are only symptoms of the problem.
Everyone of us in our own communities have a duty to begin to heal, forgive, love and understand. It is not a question of “should I do those things?” – it is a question of “can I do those things?”. The answer is YES you can! Whether you are a believer in Christ or not, the same biblical plan works for everyone!
Galatians 6:1-10 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted . 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. 4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For every man shall bear his own burden. 6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7 Be not deceived ; God is not mocked : for whatsoever a man soweth , that shall he also reap . 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing : for in due season we shall reap , if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Meekness, bearing one another’s burdens, do good to others – these are the makings of real community! Diversity is okay and even needed in every society and community – unity with diversity is necessary to survive and to thrive! So if you reading this, go and be meek – do good to others – bear another’s burden and make your community better than it was yesterday.
As a pastor, a believer, and a member of my community – this is my desire!
Will these things work in Ferguson, MO? YES – but it will take time, it will take some honesty, and it will take some forgiveness. Ferguson, MO; The Brown Family; The Wilson Family – I pray for you all. I pray for you to receive healing and comfort that can only come from Christ.
Blake's Thoughts on Life 