Just-US, Just-ENOUGH or JUSTICE?
With what should I approach the Lord and bow down before God on high? Should I come before him with entirely burned offerings, with year-old calves? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with many torrents of oil? Should I give my oldest child for my crime; the fruit of my body for the sin of my spirit? He has told you, human one, what is good and what the Lord requires from you: TO DO JUSTICE, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:6-8.
This past Tuesday marked one year since the murder of George Floyd, and throughout the investigation, speculation, trial and subsequent conviction of former police officer Derek Chauvin, the Floyd family and their attorneys consistently proclaimed that they were fighting for justice. The Floyd family did not engage in this mountainous fight for just their brother, father, cousin, friend George, but for Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Daniel Prude, Tamir Rice and hundreds, thousands and even millions of people of color who have lost their lives in America without receiving due justice. They fought for those who are being oppressed and killed today, and for those whose lives will be taken in the future. Their fight was not a “Just-US cause, nor should the churches approach to justice be just-for-us.
Since George Floyd’s murderer Derrick Chauvin was convicted and is awaiting sentencing. Many will say that justice was served, and that is “just-enough”. When slavery in America was abolished, the feeling was that the slaves were freed and that is “just-enough”. When other movements in our country such as Women’s Rights, Civil Rights, Voter Rights, Violence against Women and many, many others began, the same sentiment has been expressed, “just-enough. We live in a world filled with injustice, the acts, laws, and movements previously mentioned are the evidence of that fact. Our governments, the American flag, The Capital Dome or Lady Justice were never God’s intentions for being the symbols of Justice. The truth about justice is that until Jesus returns to establish His kingdom on the earth, there will never be enough justice in America or anyplace in this world. God’s plan was that the Church would be the essence and embodiment of Justice. Justice is not an idea, symbol, goal, or action. Justice is a person, justice is the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Church is supposed to be the light, body, and image of Christ.
In the height of the racial turmoil of last summer and before I ever entered the doors of New Hope, I had the honor to march through our community with brothers like Ben King. I was blessed to walk and pray side-by-side through the streets of Market Heights with Linda Kvasnica. On many occasions I wept with Pastor Scott. Was it “just for us”, was it “just enough”? The answer of course is unequivocally no! God desires much more from all of us, He demands a consistent and faithful response to the needs of those who are the least in our local communities as well as those that are far off. “In as much as you have done to the least of these my brothers, you have done it unto me.” Matt. 25:40.
I want you take a minute and think about the George Floyd incident and the subsequent conviction of Derrick Chauvin. Do you remember the doubts and fears of the outcome of the trial? Would justice be served? Now, take a minute to reflect on what would have been the outcome of that trial if there had been no videos.
Please consider now our Banyamulenge brothers and sisters who we pray and serve with at New Hope. Many of their families in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are amid ethnic genocide, and most of the world continues to be silent about it. The Church continues to be silent about it. Since 2017, 325 villages have been destroyed by fire, and thousands of children and adults lost their lives attempting to escape the fires. Others have been killed by guns and machete, while many women have been kidnapped, raped or worse. Over 160,000 people have been displaced from their homes and property, and more than 316,000 in livestock have been looted or killed creating almost insurmountable humanitarian needs. 60 FMC churches have been burned, and many of the members killed. Today there are more Banyamulenge displaced in other countries than are in their native country of the Congo. These Banyamulenge represent some of the “least of Jesus’ brothers and sisters” mentioned in Matthew 25:40. New Hope, we can make a difference in raising awareness of this heinous tragedy. If you haven’t already, please make time to watch our churches YouTube video; Crises in the Congo. Will you allow God to use your heart, hands, and voice as instruments of Christ, as instruments of Justice for the Banyamulenge? Their survival could depend on us.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” MLK