From Here To Ferguson & Back:

Something To Think About, Living Together in Peace:

From where I sit on my comfortable couch, to the very uncomfortable streets of Ferguson, Missouri is just over 650 miles.  As far as my understanding of what is going on there, I'm sure it is much farther. I represent a demographic that is often seen as a big part of the problem.  I am an old, middle-class, white guy from the South.  But I am an old, middle-class, white guy from the South, who is not interested in just leaving things the way they have been and are.  I would like to see things become better.  So, I ask, "What can I learn from what is going on a day's drive to the west?"   As much as I might want to, I can't just declare that all relevant history began when I was born.  I have prayed with, preached to, and been the guest of a lady whose father fought in the Civil War.  It wasn't really that long ago.  I know the racism that both justified and flows from slavery is not dead--not completely.  Last night after watching the news I readDaniel 9.  It just "happens" to be where I am in my reading.  Daniel 9 contains an eloquent prayer, much of which is a confession of the sins of Israel and Judah.  Though Daniel was not involved in those sins, as a member of the nation of Israel he acknowledged their impact on the current situation.  I can't just dismiss the past. Much that is going on--or, more to the point, much that is being said about what is going on--pushes buttons that produce anger.  I can't surrender to that.  James says I need to be more eager to hear than to spout off and be angry.  I need to listen!  I need to resist the urge to lash out. There seems to be a circuit wired into our psyche that says something like, "This injustice over here, justifies this wrong-doing over there.  Some people in Ferguson reason that since they and/or their family and neighbors have been treated unjustly, that that somehow justifies looting a merchant's store or destroying a police-car.  Meanwhile 650 miles away old, middle-class, white guys, are tempted to conclude that because some people are behaving in a lawless manner that that justifies treating another human with less kindness than she/he deserves. Sin does not correct sin.  Doing righteousness demands a price.  It is a price that is worth paying. The problems in our world are problems of the heart. In our fallen world we need law-enforcement, but better law enforcement is not the answer. People should have opportunity to live at peace and to have the opportunity to support their families and watch their children flourish.  Better education, and social-work, as important as they are, are not the answer. Only the Gospel of Christ has the power to change hearts.  Let's pray and share the good news where we can.   It's Something To Think About.