Honestly, I see this different than most people. I do not see this from only a racism viewpoint. I have been spending time trying to look at this from a much larger Spiritual issue in our culture. We see revolt, protest, anger, and lack of trust in authority in general. This could be why the protests are proving to be led and instigated by a much larger representation of ethic, socio economic, and race representation than just our Black brothers who are angry at racist, crooked White police. In my opinion, this is deep inner pain and hurt (as a result of both real and perceived injustice, inequality, loss, death, and suffering) that demands an outlet to “Cry Out”
If God is our ultimate authority, and He is truly in control—maybe we begin to put puzzle pieces together and see that we live in a time when a vast percentage of society (from every culture, race, ethnic, and socio economic background) does not have a faith, theology, life perspective, and understanding of God that can withstand the trials of this life. The most often question asked of any skeptic of God, Jesus, Christianity or Biblical truth is this: “If God is so loving, and God is all-powerful, then why does God allow pain, suffering, disease, death…?” Answers here are not easy, they are not necessarily always feel-good and fluffy. And the answer we often desire is assurance that God should be in the business of creating a perfect utopia on Earth where all injustice, inequality, pain and suffering, and sin are resolved to the comfort of life we all long for. When our faith and theology cannot bridge these gaps of reality—we tend to “Cry Out” for God to intervene. In a sense we protest, we even revolt to some extent. We become Jacob wrestling with God. We become Job looking for answers. We become Jeremiah weeping. We might even become Judas (who was willing to betray Jesus when he found out that Jesus was not going to lead a political rebellion to overthrow the evil Roman empire and save Israel) in betrayal. Some have a theology, history, faith, that ultimately bridges the gaps and holds fast with hope and belief. Sadly, western religion and the demise of faith in our society leaves a great percentage of people without the spiritual depth to build these bridges. (Side note of personal opinion—the ‘Evangelical’ movement may failed a generation, but the ‘Prosperity’ Gospel and the ‘Progressive’ Church movement certainly don’t have the truth to bridge those gaps) Hence, our faith and belief system become emotionally based and in a sense nothing more than relativism with a bite sized dose of theology.
Think about the political and social issues that divide us so deep today. Our society is crying out for authority figures and politicians to “fix” everything that hurts. Demanding healing and retribution for every injustice and sin of the past, present, and future. Longing for income and success equality as if this were a right or guarantee. If “God” can’t or won’t fix it—then as a society we put our faith in political systems, political figures, forms of government, ideologies, or any other relative voice of hope that promises to do so. We have created a cycle of relativism which drives a sense of entitlement, justice, and perfection that will always fail to deliver. This leaves us in a constant state of protest and revolt—with each other and with God.
There is a basic Truth and perception that might help us all right now. We live in an imperfect world where God is in complete control. A world where pain, suffering, inequality, death, racism, greed, injustice, war, jealousy, intolerance, violence, hatred, and evil have been allowed to co-exist since the beginning of time because of the choices of creation. No where do we have the promise of this imperfect world becoming a utopia where these things go away. In fact, we are told by Jesus Himself several times that they will only get worse. What we do have are three truths that remain steady despite our circumstances. One, we have a calling to work to overcome evil with good and to be a light of love and hope in the dark. Two, we have a promise that if we trust, live in the power of the Holy Spirit, and stand in our faith, we can fulfill this calling. Three, we have the ultimate promise that the utopia we so desperately desire (where all the horrible things listed above are finally resolved) is in fact a reality fulfilled in eternal life.
Until then (if God truly created us all “Equal” in His sight) it doesn’t matter if you are black or white, rich or poor, old or young, educated or not educated, and American or Mexican, Christian or Muslim. We are all entitled to one thing—a life in an imperfect world that will experience the imperfections that exist. We will have sunshine and storms. We have success and failure. We will have sickness and heath. We will experience justice and injustice. We will have people who hate us and love us. We will have times of peace and times of war. We will celebrate the miracle of birth and grieve at the darkness of death. Life will never be “Fair” and life on Earth will never be free of everything that causes us pain. You cannot legislate it away. You cannot create wealth equality and take it away. You cannot create a form of government that makes it all better. Every single day we have a calling to get up from our prone position of protest, anger, and revolt and keep on living. Placing our faith in the one in control. Changing what we can change. Wrestling with what we cannot change. Accepting God’s perfect timing and perfect justice. And living with the knowledge that we are ONLY entitled to one thing—God’s great mercy, love, forgiveness and the future promise of eternal life.
I live with hurt, anger and the desire to protest every single day. Sure, I am angered at police injustice and racism, and what happened to George Floyd. I am also hurt and want to protest when good parents die unexpectedly and leave orphan children for no apparent reason. I am angered when a thug criminal commits a crime that hurts or kills an innocent victim. I want to protest when a disease takes someone I love. I am angered when political leaders believe they are God and convince people they can solve all the problems of the world. I am angered with innocent people lose their lives, livelihoods, and businesses to ignorant and cowardly rioters. I am hurt when kids suffer pain and bullying they don’t deserve. I torment when the innocent are punished and the guilty go free. And yes, I wrestle with God when I don’t understand these life events. But I live. And the more I live, then more I realize that I need to be slower to point blame, more patient in demanding an answer and justification, and more committed than ever to deepen my own faith and trust in my Creator. It is then, and only then that I can walk away from my right to protest, and instead seek deeper what I can do to live life to the fullest in promises of God…Despite the evil around me.
Peace.
Written in Spring of 2020
Thoughts of Another Traveler... 
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