The Senseless Violence

As I was celebrating the freedom of being an American citizen over this past week, two beautiful Americans were shot. No crime, no jury, no conviction – just shot.

This alone is tragic. The fact their skin color bears the history of racism just rips open centuries of wounds.

I’m white. Yet, I don’t really see people based on their skin. My brother is Filipino. Our family has seen first hand what racism looks like. I’ve never understood it.

I feel helpless to bring change.

I’ve been praying for wisdom and for change.

You see, over the same weekend, suicide bombers blew up a building in Baghdad and killed almost 300 people. All kinds of people – young, old, moms, kids, dads.

Our country may have a specific way that senseless violence takes place, but senseless violence is not unique to our country.

I keep asking myself and asking God, “What can I do? How does change happen?”

I don’t know.

But I know I won’t stay silent.

I will speak up when I can turn a wrong into a right. I will pray for all of my fellow Americans because things must change. I will look deep into my heart to be sure I have love for each person, not just some. I will spend time on my face before God whom I know loves every single person. I will take the precious moments of my day praying that God would move on my behalf, that He would bring change where I can’t, that He would bring healing to wounds I can’t touch, that He would change hearts that seem to have become stone.

I will pray because it is what has brought change in my life.

I will pray because I know God is able.

I will pray because God has already overcome the world and the rampant darkness.

I will believe change can come, though I don’t see it yet.

I will believe that senseless violence will come to an end.

For everyone impacted by this past week’s killings, I’m so very, very sorry for your loss, for our loss. I pray that the God of all comfort would be your comfort now.

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