The Irony of Ferguson

Sitting down to write this morning I am extremely saddened. Scenes from last night’s news coverage keeps running through my mind. I am extremely disturbed at what I saw. At the same time I cannot help but think that what I witnessed last night was the most ironic/hypocritical thing I had ever witnessed. Allow me to explain.

First let me start with why I was disturbed. I was disturbed because a young man has died. Regardless of where you stand on whether his death was justifiable or not, does not matter at this point. I believe the loved ones and friends of Mike Brown have a responsibility of remembering their friend and loved one with dignity and respect. Now, that will never happen. Michael Brown’s legacy will always include looting and rioting. How can a young man be remembered as he should when properties are being destroyed and police cars are being burned? I am disturbed for Mike Brown. I am saddened for his loved ones. I am saddened for Officer Wilson.

Secondly, allow to explain my above statement about irony/hypocrisy. The very thing that people are crying against in Ferguson, they are now perpetuating. There has been a cry that says injustices have been done. The responsible parties have been let off the hook and this is not ok. Truthfully there is nothing wrong with this viewpoint. I am not saying that is the view that I hold to but each person is entitled to their own opinion. So on the tv we see looters, rioters, burning police vehicles, burning buildings, rocks being thrown at police (who have done nothing but show up as ordered), windows being smashed, gunfire and I even heard screamed out expletives. These things are done in the name of justice? For the life of me I can’t figure out how if I think you are not just, I have the right to break any and all laws. Last night on the news I witnessed felonies happening in real time. Know what’s ironic? Most of those people will never get arrested or be punished for their crime.

Shooting at police and burning their patrol cars…Are you serious? How does that promote justice? How does that promote equality? It doesn’t! What it does is drive a deeper wedge into the underlying issue that has been brought to light in Ferguson: Racism is alive and well in America. Let me go on the record for saying that I do not believe that racism killed Mike Brown. What it did is pull the bandaid off the wound of racial injustice that has existed since the day our country was born. The moment this shooting was made public people started defending the white guy or defending the black guy. At that point we had no right to do either. We had no facts. Rather than trust the justice system “We the people” commented on social media and more times than not defended our preferred race.

So where do we go from here? Regardless of race, love on the Brown family. This family is grieving the loss of a son that was taken from this world prematurely. Support Officer Wilson. This young police officer will live the rest of his life questioning his actions. He killed somebody and he now has to live with that. Commit to to fighting injustice justly. We must not use injustice as an excuse to act unjustly ourselves. When we do we silence ourselves. People will not listen to a voice that is looting a liquor store. Speak from a place of respect for fellow man. Finally, acknowledge the reality of racism. It exists and is alive and well. It did not go away during the civil rights movement. Find a way to fight against this social injustice. Be the solution not the problem.

Please leave your thoughts in the comment section. I would love to dialogue.

Hebrews 11: A Commentary on man’s faith or on God’s Grace?

After reading Hebrews 11 today, I came to a realization that I have never had before. Hebrews 11 sometimes known as the Faith hall of fame or the faith chapter contains a strong undertone of reconciliation and perhaps this chapter is less about people’s faith and more about God’s grace. Have I been missing the point all this time?Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Samson, David are among the many faithful and faith filled believers listed in Hebrews 11.

If one chose to focus on the negative, this is what they would find.
 
Abraham was a wimp. He allowed his wife to be taken into captivity and lied to save his own hide. He doubted God along with his wife. Yet he shows up in the list of the faithful.

Jacob was a con-artist and a liar. Not only did you trick his brother but he outright lied to his father’s face. Yet he shows up in the list of the faithful.

Moses had a temper problem. Not only did he smash his staff on a rock but he killed someone out of anger. He is also the only man in Scripture who took tablets from God and then smashed them in a blind rage. Yet he shows up in the list of the faithful.

Rahab was a harlot. A prostitute. Someone who slept around for cash! Need I say more. Yet she shows up in the list of the faithful.

Gideon doubted God. He feared for his life when God gave him a task. In fact he even told God what to do. You may remember the old “give me a sign routine” that he pulled. Yet he shows up the list of the faithful.

Samson committed adultery against his God with foreign women. It got so bad that the consequence of his sin led him to a life of slavery and mockery. He even had his eyes gouged out. Yet he shows up in the list of the faithful.

David gazed (lusted) at a beautiful woman (naked). He committed adultery with her. He impregnated her and then proceeded to kill her husband. Yet he shows up in the list of the faithful.

Perhaps I just ruined your view of the Faith Hall of Fame chapter. That is not my intention. My intention is this, see it from a different perspective. I mean how is it possible that God could use these “losers”. Con-artists, liars, sex addicts and murderers. Wow, God you sure picked some good ones!

To say that God picked losers and be sarcastic in addressing God regarding His choices might seem downright sinful. It is! And if this is true, then why are we so quick to write people off in our churches. People who have fallen into sin, people who do not lead stellar christian lives and people who just don’t live up to our personal standards.

Perhaps it is because we forget that even God’s best were at one time people that we wouldn’t even look at. I wonder if Hebrews 11 is less of a narative on those who were great in the faith and more of a statement from God saying, “I can use anybody.”

Next time you are temped to give up on someone stop and read Hebrews 11. Let’s be honest, most of us have given up on people who were alot better off than most of God’s faithful of Hebrews 11.

God’s Grace Is Sufficient And Reconciliation Is ALWAYS Possible!!!!Originally Written August 2008