Let me be clear, when I first heard about Alton Sterling’s death, I said a prayer for him and his family. When I heard about the officers shot in Dallas, I said a prayer for them and their families as well. I haven’t watched any news stories on either incident. I haven’t watched the Alton Sterling video and I probably never will. Why? I won’t watch the video because doing so won’t change my stance. I grieve the loss of his life and I’m heartbroken for his wife and son. The officers: I grieve the loss of their lives and I’m heartbroken for the spouses and children they left behind.
I don’t watch the news because I don’t care to hear all the he-said-she-said. I don’t care if he had a criminal record or not. I don’t care if the police officers were being aggressive with the crowd or not. The loss of human life is tragic. It’s always tragic. I don’t understand why there is suddenly a need to debate every death as if we can somehow explain away the hurt and loss that death brings.
I’m tired. I’m utterly exhausted of my Facebook feed being filled with: #BlackLivesMatter, #BlueLivesMatter, #WhiteLivesMatter, #AllLivesMatter. Don’t get me wrong, I agree their lives matter. I am in wholehearted agreement with all of you. I’m also not saying there shouldn’t be a call for justice. I absolutely believe the killers should be punished for what they have done. However, I’m tired of their being a reason for these hashtags. I’m tired of the tragedies, I’m tired of the killings and I’m tired of the death. I’m tired of the division as well. The division that sees black lives, blue lives and white lives as anything other than lives. I’m not angered by the hashtags, but I’m saddened that we live in a world that still sees a difference and therefore requires the specification that each life matters just as much as the next.
In the very first chapter of the Bible we are told: “So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27) We have all been created in God’s image. Regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs everyone bears the image of God. So, when I see or hear of someone’s death, all I see is #GodsImageMatters. We are all his creations and He loves us all. We, especially Christians, should grieve the loss of every life. If they were saved that is one less light in the world, and if they weren’t that is one more life that is forever lost. How can we claim to love God and not grieve when His image is destroyed?
I know we live in a world full of racism, hate, violence, fear, and sadness. I know they exist and they are thrown in my face everyday, but I also know God exists. Please lets stop turning to hashtags that only show how broken this world is and instead turn to God, the One, that can heal the world and mend the broken hearts. Let’s start telling the people: #JesusMatters, #GodLovesYou, #JesusDiedForAll, #ChristIsRisen, #WeAreInTheImageOfGod. Let’s remind people that they are beautifully crafted in God’s Image and then treat them accordingly.
Our society, nation, and world are already divided enough. The further we allow ourselves to be separated, the easier we are to defeat. Satan is doing an amazing job of keeping us distracted while he systematically destroys us. Let’s come together! Let’s fight with power. Let’s call on the One that can heal us all…#JesusChrist!
Great input on such an important topic! Black lives do matter- 100%. Every black man should be seen as a valuable, worthy life just as every other race should be seen that way. I live my life representing this and I’m so sad and angry that so many do not. But ultimately the fact that we are ALL made in God’s image is what matters the most. Good word.
Thank you very much.