When Mourning comes at Night
This one hit too close to home. July 7, 2016 we lost the most public servants in one "event" than anywhere else in the nation since September 11, 2001. A horror struck our city. But it's likely struck yours too. Orlando, St. Louis, Baton Rouge, Ferguson, Boston, New York, Paris, and the list goes on. I call Dallas my home. I was no more than three blocks from the scene when tragedy befell. I knew and worshiped with one of the fallen officers.
These lives, in every city, meant something to someone. They were dads, moms, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters. Their lives mattered to the husband they kissed the morning they left and never came back. Their lives mattered to the daughters they promised to read a bedtime story to but never got the chance. Their lives mattered to the friend who's been struggling with depression waiting to have coffee with the only person they felt supported by. Their lives, in every city, in every color, in every shape, meant something to someone somewhere.
I have been attempting to be still in the last 24 hours. With two little boys, you will understand exactly why it was an "attempt." Sometimes we forget too quickly. Something tragic happens, we post a hashtag "praying for..." on Facebook and then feel we've done our deed for the day. Did you, though? Did you pray? While I believe that there are tangible ways to help in every situation; whether donating money, donating blood, sending cards or delivering food. I also believe that there is power in prayer.
God, the creator of the Heaven's and the Earth, could have given us any way imaginable to communicate with Him and He chose prayer. Why? Because it's intimate. And He knows that if we're talking to Him we can't be listening to Satan's lies at the same time.
The lies that you are not created equal. The lie that your life does not matter because of the pigment of your skin. The lie that you are untrustworthy because of someone else's bad choices. The lie that you are not good enough. The lie that you are hated. The lies that keep us running further away from God and closer toward hate.
Let me quote Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "Through violence you may murder the hater but you do not murder the hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate. So it goes. Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
Jesus Christ calls us to be a light in the world. There is darkness all around us. Hate consumes our lives. Everyone is angry. I am angry. I am distraught. A man that loved Jesus fully and served others well lost his life by just supervising a safe and peaceful protest. This is not justice. But I REJOICE knowing that we have a God of justice because there is nothing my anger is going to solve.
Romans 12:17-18 & 21, "Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone... Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good."
Anger is a common, normal, God-given emotion. But when devastation strikes in our backyard in the shadows of the night our mourning turns to anger and our anger breeds hate. In our anger we desire revenge. And what will revenge do for you? I do know what prayer can do for you.
When you pray you are drawing closer to the one who created you. When you pray you are digging deeper within your soul. When you pray your anger turns to grievance. Prayer turns your heart of stone to one of flesh (Ezekiel 36:6). And because prayer can change your heart so can prayer change the world. So pray. And don't just say it or tweet it. Really, stop what you're doing and pray. You may not be down on two knees, your eyes might not be shut. There is only one requirement bear your soul.
When you can't find any words to say; pray.
