One hundred years ago on May 31 and June 1, 1921, at least 300 Black people were killed and most homes and businesses were destroyed by their white neighbors in Tulsa, Oklahoma, leaving 10,000 of the 11,000 residents displaced in the otherwise thriving community of Greenwood, known as Black Wall Street.
Almost 99 years and many murders later, on May 25, 2020, the life of a Black man was callously snuffed out under the knee of a white police officer. Unlike the Tulsa Race Massacre, the world itself witnessed this gruesome act because a brave 17-year-old, helplessly watching the horror unfold before her very eyes, filmed the killing of George Floyd, a father, brother, uncle, boyfriend, and neighbor. This video shines a spotlight on an all-too-common practice of chokeholds and neck restraints and a senseless death of yet another person of color. What kind of society allows these atrocities to happen?
The earth shifted on its axis that day last year as evidenced by the many protests that ensued in this nation and around the world. Little did I know how my own internal landscape would shift because of this event that took place in Minneapolis, far from my home in California. My own contemplation sparked by this killing continues to morph into my ever-growing awareness of the white supremacy and structural and systemic racism that allows police brutality and the murders of people with skin a different color from my own. My participation in a society that sanctions such brutality makes me complicit.
If my faith isn’t actively transforming me to be more like Jesus every day, then my faith needs examining. I cannot turn a blind eye to the injustices in our society nor can I ignore my own complicity. While it would be easier to ignore the Holy Spirit’s conviction, the God of all humankind will not be kept in a box on a shelf, taken down when it’s convenient and comfortable, only to be returned to the dusty ledge when conviction dares to put a lid on it.
As I grasp the implications of the God who creates all humankind in His image (Genesis 1:26a*) to serve His purposes, for His glory, and for fellowship with Him, the Almighty Creator empowers the transformation of my faith and emboldens me to live out that transfigured faith regardless of its convenience or comfort. My perspective, my thoughts, and my actions are altered. I find that my faith isn’t shattered, but rather it is changed and expanded; its roots grow deeper.
In Luke 10:26-28*, Jesus affirms the two greatest commandments, the second of which is to love our neighbors. When the question arises as to who our neighbors are, Jesus makes it abundantly clear in His parable called the Good Samaritan that we are to reach across all cultural divides to show love in practical ways to whomever we encounter. In other words, neighbor means everyone.
Our key verse today from the Old Testament book of Amos gives us a visual of how God wants justice to flow through our world like a fast-flowing river that covers all in its path. Prophesying to the tribes of Israel, Amos admonishes them to repent of their sins, pointing out particularly their lack of justice and truth and their oppression of the poor. They have become wealthy at the expense of the poor whom they keep in poverty with extra taxes (Amos 5:10-11*).
God wants His people to seek Him, to do good, and to seek justice, not to mollify Him with their empty sacrifices, meaningless ceremonies, and going-through-the-motion rituals. Their religious fervor rings hollow. God wants justice and righteousness (living right with God) to abound, like swift-flowing waters of a river as it rushes headlong down a mountain.
The Bible contains almost 330 references to justice. Clearly, God takes justice seriously. Likewise, we, too, are called to seek justice and to act justly in our personal lives and within our communities. Justice is not optional.
By remembering our neighbor George Floyd on the anniversary of his death, we lament with his loved ones their great loss, we confess our own complicity, and we actively seek justice in an unjust world. While George Floyd’s murderer was pronounced guilty, only a sliver of justice was served. The sentencing did not, nor could it, bring back George Floyd from the dead. Instead, this sentence was about accountability.
Yet, there is a glimmering hope that the door to racial justice has been cracked open so that the powerful light of a greater God-wrought justice will ultimately cast its glow on our darkened world. Remembering all the many victims and their untimely deaths can motivate us to change. Perhaps if we all expand the horizons of our hearts and minds to fully grasp the meaning of “made in the image of God” and the concept of “neighbor”, the hatred that infects our world and the deaths by bigotry and brutality would stop.
But it starts with each of us, being willing to own our complicity and to allow God to change our hearts and our actions. Only then will we truly see the face of God in each of our neighbors. Only then will all image-bearers be free to live out their God-given purposes without fear of discrimination, violence, and death. Only then will justice roll down from heaven like a river.
God of Amos, You have rightly judged my heart as lacking awareness, love, and compassion, and my actions as lacking justice. May I seek You, do good, and act justly amongst all Your image-bearers whom You call my neighbors. Change my selfish ways and free me from the chains of comfort and convenience to do Your will and Your work for the sake of all Your children. As Jesus as my example, may it be so. Amen.
*Genesis 1:26a (NRSV) - Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness…”
*Luke 10:26-28 - “What is written in the Law?” he [Jesus] replied. “How do you read it?” He [the expert in the law] answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
*Amos 5:10-11 - There are those who hate the one who upholds justice in court and detest the one who tells the truth. You levy a straw tax on the poor and impose a tax on their grain. Therefore, though you have built stone mansions, you will not live in them; though you have planted lush vineyards, you will not drink their wine.
Text and photograph copyright © 2021 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of the Kicking Horse River as it cascades through the Canadian Rockies at the Natural Bridge, near Field, British Columbia.
Not a subscriber to the monthly blog posts? Click here to subscribe.
A NOTE ON RACIAL JUSTICE: Becoming antiracist is a journey. Together, we can make a difference. Will you join me? Check out my web page on “Justice Matters” to find resources and to connect with organizations engaging in the cause of racial justice. Click here to learn more.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Almost 99 years and many murders later, on May 25, 2020, the life of a Black man was callously snuffed out under the knee of a white police officer. Unlike the Tulsa Race Massacre, the world itself witnessed this gruesome act because a brave 17-year-old, helplessly watching the horror unfold before her very eyes, filmed the killing of George Floyd, a father, brother, uncle, boyfriend, and neighbor. This video shines a spotlight on an all-too-common practice of chokeholds and neck restraints and a senseless death of yet another person of color. What kind of society allows these atrocities to happen?
The earth shifted on its axis that day last year as evidenced by the many protests that ensued in this nation and around the world. Little did I know how my own internal landscape would shift because of this event that took place in Minneapolis, far from my home in California. My own contemplation sparked by this killing continues to morph into my ever-growing awareness of the white supremacy and structural and systemic racism that allows police brutality and the murders of people with skin a different color from my own. My participation in a society that sanctions such brutality makes me complicit.
If my faith isn’t actively transforming me to be more like Jesus every day, then my faith needs examining. I cannot turn a blind eye to the injustices in our society nor can I ignore my own complicity. While it would be easier to ignore the Holy Spirit’s conviction, the God of all humankind will not be kept in a box on a shelf, taken down when it’s convenient and comfortable, only to be returned to the dusty ledge when conviction dares to put a lid on it.
As I grasp the implications of the God who creates all humankind in His image (Genesis 1:26a*) to serve His purposes, for His glory, and for fellowship with Him, the Almighty Creator empowers the transformation of my faith and emboldens me to live out that transfigured faith regardless of its convenience or comfort. My perspective, my thoughts, and my actions are altered. I find that my faith isn’t shattered, but rather it is changed and expanded; its roots grow deeper.
In Luke 10:26-28*, Jesus affirms the two greatest commandments, the second of which is to love our neighbors. When the question arises as to who our neighbors are, Jesus makes it abundantly clear in His parable called the Good Samaritan that we are to reach across all cultural divides to show love in practical ways to whomever we encounter. In other words, neighbor means everyone.
Our key verse today from the Old Testament book of Amos gives us a visual of how God wants justice to flow through our world like a fast-flowing river that covers all in its path. Prophesying to the tribes of Israel, Amos admonishes them to repent of their sins, pointing out particularly their lack of justice and truth and their oppression of the poor. They have become wealthy at the expense of the poor whom they keep in poverty with extra taxes (Amos 5:10-11*).
God wants His people to seek Him, to do good, and to seek justice, not to mollify Him with their empty sacrifices, meaningless ceremonies, and going-through-the-motion rituals. Their religious fervor rings hollow. God wants justice and righteousness (living right with God) to abound, like swift-flowing waters of a river as it rushes headlong down a mountain.
The Bible contains almost 330 references to justice. Clearly, God takes justice seriously. Likewise, we, too, are called to seek justice and to act justly in our personal lives and within our communities. Justice is not optional.
By remembering our neighbor George Floyd on the anniversary of his death, we lament with his loved ones their great loss, we confess our own complicity, and we actively seek justice in an unjust world. While George Floyd’s murderer was pronounced guilty, only a sliver of justice was served. The sentencing did not, nor could it, bring back George Floyd from the dead. Instead, this sentence was about accountability.
Yet, there is a glimmering hope that the door to racial justice has been cracked open so that the powerful light of a greater God-wrought justice will ultimately cast its glow on our darkened world. Remembering all the many victims and their untimely deaths can motivate us to change. Perhaps if we all expand the horizons of our hearts and minds to fully grasp the meaning of “made in the image of God” and the concept of “neighbor”, the hatred that infects our world and the deaths by bigotry and brutality would stop.
But it starts with each of us, being willing to own our complicity and to allow God to change our hearts and our actions. Only then will we truly see the face of God in each of our neighbors. Only then will all image-bearers be free to live out their God-given purposes without fear of discrimination, violence, and death. Only then will justice roll down from heaven like a river.
God of Amos, You have rightly judged my heart as lacking awareness, love, and compassion, and my actions as lacking justice. May I seek You, do good, and act justly amongst all Your image-bearers whom You call my neighbors. Change my selfish ways and free me from the chains of comfort and convenience to do Your will and Your work for the sake of all Your children. As Jesus as my example, may it be so. Amen.
*Genesis 1:26a (NRSV) - Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness…”
*Luke 10:26-28 - “What is written in the Law?” he [Jesus] replied. “How do you read it?” He [the expert in the law] answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
*Amos 5:10-11 - There are those who hate the one who upholds justice in court and detest the one who tells the truth. You levy a straw tax on the poor and impose a tax on their grain. Therefore, though you have built stone mansions, you will not live in them; though you have planted lush vineyards, you will not drink their wine.
Text and photograph copyright © 2021 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of the Kicking Horse River as it cascades through the Canadian Rockies at the Natural Bridge, near Field, British Columbia.
Not a subscriber to the monthly blog posts? Click here to subscribe.
A NOTE ON RACIAL JUSTICE: Becoming antiracist is a journey. Together, we can make a difference. Will you join me? Check out my web page on “Justice Matters” to find resources and to connect with organizations engaging in the cause of racial justice. Click here to learn more.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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