This season in which you find yourself may puzzle you, but it does not bewilder God. He can and will use it for His purpose.
Max Lucado
Looking at our country’s current situations (or even your own personal struggles), do you find yourself wondering:
- How did we get here?
- Why is this happening?
- What can I do to move forward in a positive way?
- What can I learn from this?
I’ve been asking myself these questions as I struggle through living the pandemic life. More recently, I’ve been pondering those last two questions in regards to what happened to George Floyd and the emotional heaviness I feel for the black culture. I am learning how our nation got here; learning about white privilege; learning how “all lives matter” isn’t what I thought it was. I am beginning to understand what “black lives matter” truly means. And it is heavy.
Those last two questions though…
I’m learning where to start, and that is with my children.
I grew up with friends of all colors, but I didn’t see color. The innocence of a child, I suppose. I was taught to love all skin colors. But I grew up naive, not knowing the impact that the color of skin had on how you raise your child. I see it now, as I mom alongside my black friends raising beautiful black babies. I see it in my friends that are in biracial marriages with their beautiful biracial children. I see how different conversations are when it comes to race. I simply had no idea.
But I am now learning. I am learning what privilege I live with (and honestly, it doesn’t feel good! I don’t like it!) I am learning, as I watch my black friends post on FB about the conversations they are having with their children and the struggles they face. I am learning what #blacklivesmatter means.
How can I move forward?
I will start by learning myself and passing that to my children.
My heart hurts for my friends and I so desperately want my children to be a part of the change this world needs.
Right now though, I want to take a moment to speak to my black sisters in Christ and all African Americans.
I feel at a loss of words. But I want to say:
I hear you. I see you. I’m praying for you.
My husband and I are learning. We are teaching our children.
We stand with you and beside you.
I want to encourage you.
Dismiss the notion that God doesn’t see your struggle. God is FULLY engaged.
Max Lucado
My sisters, God sees the struggle. Our world is broken and fallen, but God is still very present.
Waiting is a sustained effort to stay focused on God through prayer and belief. To wait is to “rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” Psalm 37:7
Max Lucado
Waiting is the absolute worst. I have never and will never walk in your shoes. I will never understand the waiting your culture has had to endure, but I do know that God is working. And I believe in the power of prayer.
I pray for our nations healing; for an end to racism; for hearts to be changed; for justice to be served according to His will; and for unity. Oh, how my heart cries out for unity and for the power of Love, God’s love, to change the hearts of man.
In Max Lucado’s book You’ll Get Through This, he teaches an important lesson that I find inspiring and encouraging. I pray it brings you encouragement too.
How to open your soul to God
- Lay claim to the nearness of God. He is always with you. You may lose the “sense” of God’s presence like Job experienced, but the truth is that He is there, always and even Job resolved to that (Job 23:10).
- Cling to His character. Hold tight to everything you know of who God is. God can and will deliver us. It’s in His character to do so.
- Pray your pain out. “It is better to shake a fist at God than turn your back on Him.” I know you are hurting. Our nation is hurting. The power of prayer is incredible and I encourage you to pour your soul out to him.
- Lean on God’s people, God’s people of all colors. He created each one of us, and He knew your skin color before He knit you together.
Though we may be puzzled and troubled at the times we are facing, may we all open our souls to God. May we seek Him in these turbulent times. May we hold tight to Him and His promises and may we come together in prayer for the healing of our nation and our black brothers and sisters in Christ.
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