Sept 29th, 2020: God is Trying to Get Our Attention?
I am still baffled by the call of some people to either cut down the
police budgets or to defund the police altogether. Is it our new
approach to democracy and law and order? The rule of law is fundamental
in a democracy. I can think of words I can use to describe what is
happening, but I won't for the sake of civility and kindness.
We
live in a time when there is a specific group of people who would not
live in the confinement of the law, and they would scream when other
people confront them. Nothing is perfect, and our police forces have to
get better in equipping and training their people to do their jobs with
honor. We cannot live in denial during such a challenging time in our
history. But that is not the only institution that needs to go through
that process. Our universities have to deal with sexual abuses and the
elimination of freedom of speech and learning. Our elected bodies have
to deal with more and more complaints about the mistreatment of women
and sexual misconduct. In Canada, our Governor-General (The Queen's
Official Representative) has to face complaints about the toxic working
environment she created in her office. So when we talk about abuse, it
is a lot more entangled and complicated than just shutting down the
police. In some ways, abuse can be an expression of a condemned heart. A
heart that cannot love and be loved.
Maybe
God is trying to get our attention. It is appropriate to realize
that evil deeds are happening around the world today. We need to take
notes that none of us is free from these conditions either. I don't tolerate
racial discrimination, but it does not mean that I am always fair and
am free my own bias. I need to keep myself in check on how to think,
feel, and react to different people and life situations. To confront the reality of
sin is not about pointing our finger at others alone. It is about
having some time to lament over our individual and corporate brokenness.
Sometimes
we need to be aware of our lack of wisdom while responding to events we
see around the world today. There are many aspects of evil, and we
sometimes can be manipulated by them. It is time to truly study the
Scripture and learn how we should treat one another.
Galatians 6:4
"But
each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for
boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another."
Psalm 32:3-5
"When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away
Through my groaning all day long.
For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah.
I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I did not hide;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”;
And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah."
