Does March 7, 1965 ring a bell to anyone? This day became known as “Bloody Sunday” when civil rights marchers left Brown Chapel A.M.E Church in Selma (my hometown) walking east towards Montgomery only to be greeted by local and state law enforcement who attacked them with billy clubs and tear gas. I really can’t imagine what must have been running through God’s mind when the events of this day occurred. This isn’t God’s intended purpose for creation, is it?
Looking back through history such an event mentioned above is not an isolated occurrence. In our country alone Native Americans, Irish immigrants, and women are some other groups who have also faced an oppressive system. World history gives a similar picture of select groups facing an evil force opposed to all that God stands for. Hitler used the term “useless eaters” in reference to Jews, those with a Slavic heritage, and even handicapped people just to mention a few. It seems one group dislikes another and attempts to justify its superiority over another. Even Jesus could not get things right as he associated with all the “wrong” people. Yet, for me, one conversation that I continue to remember is when a manager for Bilo (I worked at the same store) explained to me how American Christians were now God’s chosen people since the Jews lost that status because they do not believe Jesus to be the Messiah. I understand what N.T. Wright meant by the term ‘human evil” as it takes various forms to support a claim by one group that they are absolutely right.
However, what shames me the most is not what took place in my hometown or my country even what my race or gender has done to others. My shame lies in the apathy towards other groups since I have not been directly affected. Genesis 1:28-29 informs us of God’s intention not only for humankind but for all of His creation. Our stewardship in caring for creation was supposed to be a reflection of the image of God that we were created in. Apathy tends to lay the ground work for exploitation of others or things much less the wasting of resources that could be used to care for others. Isn’t ignoring the evil in this world which does not affect us the same as turning our backs on God’s calling in our lives?
This Sunday we will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. day in our church. While he was an instrumental factor in the civil rights movement back in the Sixties we cannot forget today what was started back then. Race relations still are not where they should be, equality between the genders does not exist, slavery is alive and well in our world today, and the Christian Church continues justifying its superior stance. As celebrations take place all over our nation Sunday and Monday honoring Dr. King let’s not loose sight of the bigger picture. Dr. King’s message in his speech “I Have a Dream” was about inclusiveness. The scope of his message included everyone although race relations were the focus of the civil rights movement and continues to be so today. After all, isn’t this the message of the Gospel? Did not Jesus come as a revolutionary opposing an exclusive system? God’s love for creation is for all not just some nor does God turn His back on creation? Let us take upon our shoulders what Dr. King started by reaching out to make a difference in our community. Let us become like Jesus and be revolutionaries for the Kingdom of God fighting that which is in opposition to God’s purpose for creation. Together, hand in hand, we will no longer turn our backs upon creation but will make a difference.
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