Trouble in the World by Maureen Price

It felt like life was changing again for the better.  Restaurants were hanging “open for business” signs in their windows. “Come in” signs beckoned, calling out “please give us a try.”  Last Wednesday evening, I went out to a restaurant with my two older granddaughters. We sat in the dining room of a quaint little Thai restaurant. It felt good. Finally, a little freedom, a little bit of normal. Even though wearing masks has become a new way of life, we started to get back to doing simple everyday activities. It felt like the safety that had vanished so quickly a few months ago had a made a U-turn and was heading back my way. I was grateful. Cautiously hopeful. The virus is receding, hurray! We are on our way! Or so I thought…

The next day, May 25th, everything shifted again. The senseless killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis rocked the country. This was a horrible and tragic incident.  People everywhere were horrified. This is wrong and terrible.  Everyone in this country should be able to count on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The founders of this country laid this out in the Declaration of Independence. “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” I would say safety in addition to that.  George Floyd was entitled to safe humane treatment; he was entitled to his life. The extreme handling of George Floyd was NOT justified.   It is wrong. It is sad and disturbing! Are there even words to adequately express how horribly wrong this was? Probably not. The words feel hollow. Our hearts and prayers go out to George’s family and friends. That is all I can offer right now, prayers!

The stark reality of troubling events has a way of putting things in perspective. Once again, everything is out of balance as if the earth rotated too far off its axis. We are wobbling out of control. The anger over George Floyd’s death is justified. We must say, out loud, this is WRONG. We must speak out. Protesting injustice is essential. We want everyone to know we do not agree with or condone this abusive treatment and frightening result. Speak out, disagree, peacefully!

That was what Jesus did. Jesus was the Prince of Peace. It was one of his names, he embodied it. He shook things up, he challenged the government and the religious leaders of his time. He was quick to point out hypocrisy and injustice.  He did it peacefully.  He knew that violence inspires more violence. It is contagious, it grows and spreads and nothing gets resolved. Things get worse, not better. As we can see, more innocent people have been injured or killed.  This is not the way back.

Peace is also contagious. Jesus said “I have told you these things so you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!” John 16:33   Jesus was talking to the disciples about standing firm in the face of disaster, knowing that if they relied on their own strength they would fail.

If, as a society, we are to be more kind, inclusive, more willing to listen, more accepting of the differences in others then we need more of Jesus and less of ourselves. We are all brothers and sisters of the family of God. We need change. Change starts with each of us individually. I pray God will help us examine our hearts and find our way back to peace and calm. We cannot bring George Floyd back, but I pray, we learn from this tragedy and never repeat it. Never!

Let us join with one another and pray for divine intervention to calm the hurt, the strong emotions and frustrations of so many. Let us pray for our leaders, for wisdom.  Give each of us wisdom. Give us your peace. Help us all Lord!  I hope we can each be an ambassador of peace wherever we find ourselves in our own communities.

May God bless and keep you safe!

Maureen Price

8 Comments

  1. Grace Davis on June 2, 2020 at 4:14 pm

    Sunday I was so overcome with grief regarding this young man’s murder and the riots that I felt Hopeless. I have been a Christ follower 53 years I told myself I wasn’t hopeless I couldn’t be..but I could grieve for what I could not wrap my mind around. Today as I prayed the Lords pray I felt I understood why we say ..Thy kingdom come….its certainly not fully his kingdom here as yet…also asking for us to forgive, to not be led into the temptation to stop loving the lost confused the angry..the mentally I’ll and those acting out….. for him to deliver us from the evil going on…I experienced an understanding in those moments that Jesus stood on his higher ground with the social, political,religious heretics and cultural predjudices…it opened up his prayer to be more relevant..and I am no longer surprised at this foray trial but filled with his peace in this unjust dis united states of america… we need revival more than ever..let it begin in me.

  2. Tony Adebonojo on June 2, 2020 at 5:27 pm

    Maureen: From the bottom of my heart I want to thank you for speaking up and recognizing George Floyds murder. I know your entre ministry is about growth and hope for the hurting, black or white, male or female. This is a gospel issue.
    Those who did this also need the risen Lord of Glory. When church leaders like yourself speak up in lends great credibility to the message we preach and tell everyone saves.

    Thanks again.

    Tony

  3. Deanna Cunningham on June 2, 2020 at 5:42 pm

    Thank you! Appreciate your words!

  4. Raquel on June 2, 2020 at 7:50 pm

    Thank you! Maureen for the peace extended to my by your writing. May all the injustices of this world be put to an end by the love and hope we have in Jesus.

  5. Raquel on June 2, 2020 at 7:51 pm

    Thank you! Maureen for the peace extended to me by your writing. May all the injustices of this world be put to an end by the love and hope we have in Jesus.

  6. Vonda Jennings on June 3, 2020 at 4:36 am

    So perfectly written for today

  7. Gloria Hall on June 9, 2020 at 10:28 am

    Thanks for sharing Maureen! It is hard and scarey to see what is happening to our nation. People are reacting and not aware of the damage they are causing…or they don’t even care. God says to love one another. For the first time I see so much anger and hatred of fellow Americans. We have had a wonderful country and it seems to be going down fast. We need to be kind and supportive of our President and people in general. Anger only makes things worse. God says to love one another. This is not love. This is Satan trying to kill and destroy. For the first time in my many years of life, I am ashamed of Americans.

  8. Jenell Malkiewicz on July 16, 2020 at 3:15 am

    I just added this blog site to my feed reader, great stuff. Can not get enough!

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