For the record: even disciples get afraid sometimes. Christians living around the world today are afraid for their safety and for their security. It is ok to be afraid.
Sometimes there are good reasons to be afraid.
Not all places are safe. Not all people are our friends. Some people will hate us…and will even say that they hate us – without hesitation. Words do hurt.
I am afraid when I read on CNN that nine more marches are planned around the United States for this coming weekend. It makes me cringe.
I am afraid for others. I am afraid for our country. I am afraid for the division.
I admit I am afraid when I see gatherings of groups like the Ku Klux Klan and Neo- Nazis members.
I am afraid when I read that David Duke, the former Grand Imperial Wizard of the KKK said that the protesters were “going to fulfill the promises of Donald Trump” to “take our country back.”
I suggest, these are scary times…with scary rhetoric. I am afraid when white supremacists waving Confederate flags and chanting Nazi – era slogans wearing helmets and carrying shields, chant phrases like, “Jews will not replace us.”
I admittedly am afraid when armed militia men dressed in fatigues walk the streets of our country…or when White Nationalists chant “White Lives Matter.”
I am afraid when the police officers stand back and watch…
I am afraid when I hear hate – filled people chanting, “End immigration, one people, one nation.” I am afraid when “blood and soil” are what unite some people…
I am repulsed by the Nazi – salute.
I see nothing to be proud of when the ghosts of racism, prejudice, violence and hatred raise their not so weary heads.
I cringe when “violence and willful injury” or death become a way of “engaging our differences.”
I had always assumed we were better than this.
I am afraid when our pulpits are silent without response to this kind of horrific behavior.
It is wrong. And someone needs to “call these people out.”
I admittedly am afraid that our country is headed backwards in time. To me it feels like we are living in the 50’s and 60’s again, only this time, there is no music. The only sounds to be heard are the sounds of division and hatred.
I for one do not want to go backwards in time. I do not want to go back to those days…
I do not want to see crosses burned or churches being burned down to the ground or to a return to lynching’s…not in the country that I love…
I thought we had come too far, I was wrong!
We are sailing on rough and restless seas. These waters are turbulent.
Something is very wrong when we love “only ourselves” or “our kind,” but not our neighbors or our enemies…
We’ve missed the boat. Something is very wrong. Very wrong.
We were at the wrong pier…on the wrong day…or something…
The waters of chaos seem to be winning the day!
Someone else, other than I have written…the boat of life is far from land right now. The night is dark. The waves are high. The wind is very strong. The wind is blowing hard against us.
We are being tossed about. We need to see Jesus walking toward us and extending his hand.
We need to hear his calming word. We need to hear his voice. We need to listen to his Word. We also need to discern right from wrong. We need to take a stand. Wrong is wrong…and we must pray that right is still right.
We need Jesus probably now more than ever. Our world needs Jesus more than ever. Our children need Jesus more than ever.
I love this country. I love this nation. I love its people. I just do not love the way it is making me feel right now. I am afraid for us. It is upsetting.
Come to us, Jesus.
Come for us Jesus.
Our boat is adrift and we are without oars. It is night time in America…it is not a “new day” – but a return to a less civil time…a darker time…
We need the light of your presence…come to us…and lead and guide us…
Amen.