What Happened?

The Beatitudes Overcome Racism - Part 1 of 9

What happened, you ask?  May 25, 2020 – that’s what happened.  George Floyd, a black man, was killed by a white police officer UNNECESSARILY!  He was stopped by the police under suspicion of passing counterfeit money.  After the officer forced Floyd to lie down on his stomach on the road, he pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck to keep him from fighting back.  Despite Floyd’s weak pleas, “I can’t breathe,” the officer kept pressing down for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. George Floyd died.  Right there on the hard pavement surrounded by other officers who did not stop their fellow officer and with on-lookers gasping in horror!   
 
The whole thing was caught on video.  Instantly, the world saw it.  Instantly, it was followed by the wailing cry of anger and sorrow for YET ANOTHER BLACK MAN KILLED BY WHITE POLICE.   

APPALLED and HORRIFIED I was, as I watched and listened to the protests, riots, and interviews that followed.    

I yelled at the TV – How can this be happening again and again?  Don’t police officers learn that this racist behavior is unacceptable?  Don’t police chiefs say, “Hey, that officer used unnecessary force, let’s be careful out there”?  Somebody has to do something to make this stop!  Oh, God, please make this stop!  

Something happened in my soul that day.  

I could no longer say, “Police brutality does not affect me, why do I care?"   
I was afraid that I might actually HAVE TO DO something.   
Now, I’m ready to act, but what can one person do?   
Will God show me the way?   
Yes! He promises me, “My Word is a lamp for your feet and a light for your path.”   (Psalm 119:105) 
 
I could no longer say, “I can’t express my dismay because I might sink into depression.” 
I was afraid of that spiraling sadness. 
Now, I’m ready to speak out, but what will I say?   
Will God bless my words? 
Yes!  He promises me, “Whatever you ask in prayer, believe you have received it, and it will be yours.”  (Mark 11:24)   

I could no longer say, “I must protect my feelings so my heart won’t break.” 
I was afraid of the utter desolation of a broken heart.  
Now, I’m ready to expose my feelings, but what painful emotions await me? 
Will God mend my heart?  
Yes!  He promises me, “I give you peace of mind and heart.” (John 14:27)   

Lord, I’m ready!  Lord, how I can make a difference?  Then these words came to me: 
I act NOW to love my neighbors in a useful way by listening to their stories, learning more about racial inequality, and becoming a change-maker!  That’s it – my new mission!  

What if - I tell others what I’m learning?  What if - I tell others how I am changing? 
What if - by my example, more people like me (white) decide to open their minds and explore their attitudes? 
What if – God is making me a change-maker?!  That's what's happening!