Seek Justice, love mercy

I’ve had conversations with my daughter about how to be safe when she is out. The concern is real, there are bad men out there. I’ve had conversations with my boys about respecting girls, and also about being smart and not putting themselves in situations where false accusations could happen. Unfortunately it has happened to others.

I’ve have taught them to be good people.

And I have had to warn them about people who aren’t so good.

Yet, I cannot imagine what it would be like to have to warn my children about everyone and everything simply because of the color of their skin. I don’t have the ability to even understand what that would feel like.

My reality is very different.

And it breaks my heart. Oh how I wish it wasn’t so. I want our world to be different. But it’s not. This is what it is.

My youngest son is just learning to drive. Naturally I have instructed him to be respectful if pulled over, and to always carry his license and insurance. But he has never had to worry about being murdered by the officer who pulls him over because of his skin color. It’s not even a thought in either of our minds. But there are people I love who have to consider this every time they get into a car.

It’s not right.

I saw a post that said racism isn’t getting worse, it’s getting recorded. And for me, when I read that, reality set in. That is truth. It’s a truth that people I love live with every day. I’ve had my fair share of ugliness in my life. And as a result I tend to not allow myself to look at the ugliness surrounding me in the rest of the world. It’s a defense mechanism that keeps me sane most of the time. But if I’m going to be who God has called me to be and do something about injustice in this world, then I have to look it in the face. So what do we do?

What do I do?

Do I just continue living my life and feel bad about it? I mean, I pray all the time and I ask God to intervene in this sin sick world. But the truth is…that’s why I’m here. That’s why you are here. So what are we going to do about it?

I’m not sure.

I don’t know exactly how to affect change. But I know we need to. A friend wrote this Facebook post, and it’s a start.

But we need to begin to ask God to use us as change agents. We need to ask God what our part is in seeking justice in this world. I don’t believe we are to sit idly by while sin runs rampant.

And I mean that for every injustice.

When God told Solomon to ask for whatever he wanted, Solomon’s response was to discern between right and wrong. And God’s response to that was this:

Because you requested this and didn’t ask for long life or riches for yourself, or the death of your enemies, but you asked to discern justice, I will do what you have asked. In addition I will give you what you did not ask for, honor and riches.”

1 Kings 4:11-13

Obviously discerning justice is very important to God. Solomon was the wisest and wealthiest man to ever live. God knew he could trust him.

Can He trust us?

Can He trust us to do what is right in His eyes? To seek justice? I want to be trustworthy. I want to follow well. I want to lead well. Lord, show me my part, my role. Here I am, send me.

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8