I have been reflecting on all that has happened this past week and grieving the death of George Floyd. Grieved for him, his family and loved ones, for all who identify with his experience or his pain, especially in the black community.

From watching the two videos currently available, George Floyd did not need to die while handcuffed having three officers pinning him and one knee on his neck asphyxiating him. This is inexcusable and a clear abuse of power - it cannot be defended.

 As Christ-followers, we need to acknowledge the brokenness of society and why scenes like this continue to happen in America. From recent deaths of Ahmaud Arbery to Breonna Taylor to watching the Amy Cooper video, my heart aches from this and perhaps yours does as well.

To say it plainly: all of this is unjust and too many people of color are facing violence and discrimination in our society. We must face the reality that this is racism rooted in our country.

As Christ-followers, Jesus taught us to love our neighbors and this must include that we confront the truth of the hidden racism that exists around us and in us. And as we do so we have to educate ourselves, do the hard work of unlearning and relearning, to be willing to do what is necessary and do it in a posture of humility.

On the learning part, I would like to encourage you to look a few resources: 

• Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism  by Drew Hart. Drew is a young African-American scholar teaching theology at Messiah College. I went to seminary at the same time as Drew, I consider him a friend, and I am appreciative of his work. https://www.amazon.com/Trouble-Ive-Seen-Changing-Church/dp/1513800000
• Read this free resource from the Barna Research Group: “Where Do We Go From Here?” It’s research on how U.S. Christians feel about racism and what they believe it will take to move forward. https://shop.barna.com/products/where-do-we-go-from-here?_pos=1&_sid=93df5e484&_ss=r&variant=23203972087889)
• Christianity Today recently posted on George Floyd’s faith and voice in Houston’s “Third Ward” community before moving to Minneapolis. Might give you a fuller picture of how his family and friends in his Christian community described him. https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/may/george-floyd-ministry-houston-third-ward-church.html

 I truly believe the violence, the racism, the retribution, the intensifying anger grieves the heart of God and it should grieve ours.

May we pray for the black community as they endure the impossible burden of grieving yet another national tragedy.

May we pray for the honorable police officers who often have to deal with aftermath of such abuses of power.

May we pray for our own hearts, that we ask the Lord to reveal our hidden sins, that we would repent and that we would have the courage to engage in meaningful conversations leading to transformative personal change.

May we also pray that we exercise our political responsibilities and all what we influence and have been entrusted with that may lead to systemic change that honors God and treats all people with justice and equality.

Amen and Amen.