I’ve been thinking, waiting, and praying. Mowing the grass, picking up sticks, and starting a small campfire this evening was good for that sort of thing.
Today’s momentous ruling from a Minnesota courtroom is exploding across all news outlets. As most of you heard, Derek Chauvin, former police officer, was found guilty of all three charges in murdering George Floyd.
Chauvin’s supervisory sergeant testified against him. The nation’s largest police union, the National Fraternal Order of Police, also praised the trial as fair:
“Our system of justice has worked as it should, with the prosecutors and defense presenting their evidence to the jury, which then deliberated and delivered a verdict,” the statement read. “The trial was fair and due process was served. We hope and expect that all of our fellow citizens will respect the rule of law and remain peaceful tonight and in the days to come.”
So tonight, I’m thankful to God that the justice system of the United States, though fractured, is not entirely broken. I’m grateful for justice served, even if the process is slow and painful.
Pro-Life, Pro-Justice, Pro-Police
Yet as a pastor and community leader I fear being misunderstood at this juncture. Why? Because everything about the last 14 months in America has been so politicized and polarized. We pick up our talking points from our favorite political pundits hour upon hour per day. Yet a less-than-an-hour a week sermon from a pastor is deemed debatable. One of my seminary professors, Howard Hendricks, once told us, “Most people don’t think, they just rearrange their prejudices.” The past season of COVID, a national election, and other societal chaoses proves his point. We are one divided nation not under God.
Grieving and weeping with those who grieve and weep, does not make one anti-police. Nothing could be further from the truth. Police officers are in my immediate and extended family. Police officers are among my closest friends. Countless other law enforcement officers serve to keep the peace, protect the innocent, and justly enforce the law for the order and well-being of our society. I wholeheartedly thank God for the sacrifice these men and women (and their families) make every day.
I am pro-justice and for-righteous because the God I bow under requires nothing less. All the police officers I know are of the same mind and heart.
Yet behind closed doors, they also readily admit there are bad cops in the mix. “There is nothing worse for good police than bad police,” is a truism worth heeding. For this reason, we, together with every law enforcement agency, must stand for justice and peace.
God’s prophet Micah heralded these timeless words:
“He has told you, O man, what is good;and what does the Lord require of youbut to do justice,and to love mercy,and to walk humblywith your God.”— Micah 6:8
Violence begets Violence
Last Saturday, on the doorstep of this week’s trial one lawmaker sprayed inflammatory remarks on social media – words that might have incited a firestorm of violence. But perhaps even worse, those rapidly spoken nouns, adjectives, verbs, and prepositions could be grounds for an appeal that “may result in [today’s] whole trial being overturned,” said Judge Peter Cahill.
Once again, we discover the intrinsic power of words. “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” is surely the worst lie in our childhood library.
I don’t pretend to fully comprehend the fear, anger, and frustration in the minds of my African-American brothers and sisters. We all must listen in a spirit of love. I must attempt to walk for a day in my neighbor’s shoes. No doubt, all the emotions of the past 14 months are ripping open on the surface.
So, may we all follow the words of Martin Luther King Jr. that ring ever-true:
“We believe in law and order. We are not advocating violence. We want to love our enemies. If I am stopped, our work will not stop, for what we are doing is right.” (1956, in Montgomery, Alabama)
“Hate begets hate; violence begets violence; toughness begets a greater toughness. We must meet the forces of hate with the power of love.” (1958)
“…concerning nonviolent resistance is that it avoids not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. The nonviolent resister not only refuses to shoot his opponent but he also refuses to hate him.” (1958) – Martin Luther King Jr. via wsu.edu
Together, let us march forward with a compassion sourced in God’s love and a passion sourced in God’s justice.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 31: A mural of George Floyd is shown in the intersection of 38th St & Chicago Ave on March 31, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
George Floyd Matters
The never-ending fury of debate rages about BLM – the Black Lives Matter movement and, subsequently, the organization that precipitated from the past year’s events. For a brief, helpful discussion on the differences between the movement and the organization check out this simple essay: BLM Movement vs BLM organization: a Semantic Trap. But rather than wade into this highly-politicized argument, let us all agree that George Floyd’s life mattered. Dr. Russell Moore, a conservative evangelical leader wrote:
“…finally, we can remember that this verdict matters because George Floyd himself matters. He is not only a symbol of the quest for racial justice in this country—although he is certainly that. He is also a human being created in the image of God. His life matters to God, and should matter to us. Authorities and structures must be accountable for doing what is right not just for the sake of abstract integrity, but because these authorities and structures affect real human lives. And every human life is an awe-striking mystery, pointing us to the God that life reflects and images.
We can thank God for the accountability rendered in this case. We can work to see to it that justice is done in cases like this whenever and wherever they arise around us. We can see to it that no one else ever faces the awful killing experienced by George Floyd and countless others. And, as we do so, we can weep. Even as we are glad for justice done, we should weep for injustices still at work, and for a life that is still gone.” – I encourage you to read Russell Moore’s article in its entirety: The George Floyd Trial and the Longing for Justice
Learning by Listening
Over the course of the past 5 years, I’ve sought to make a more asserted effort to listen well to my African-American brothers’ pains, fears, and frustrations. We’ve wept together, prayed together, and are learning how to stand together for the Gospel’s sake. Below are two videos through which you’re invited to listen-in on some of those conversations. My prayer is that you’ll, too, learn more about your neighbor’s perspective and grow in the likeness of our Reconciler, Jesus Christ.
Dialogue on Race, Conciliation, and the Gospel:
Pastors’ Roundtable – Racism, Division, and the Church
Thank you for reflecting and conversing with me. May Christ guide us to serve, stand, and speak with truth and love.
