“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” -- Hebrews 10:35-36

But how does this translate in the current condition of the United States? Racial tensions have not been at the level they are currently since the 1960s. The Black Lives Matter movement has made headlines for both positive and negative reasons. It's important to pay attention to what is happening in the news regarding recent events. An example of these newscasts is included below.

And here’s what I’m having trouble understanding: Christians are the ones opposing the Black Lives Matter movement.I can’t tell you how many posts on social media platforms have been posted by fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, who think it is a publicity stunt. Of course all lives matter. Good job, guys, we finally had this epiphany (sarcasm heavily included).People are being murdered. People are grieving, and we are telling them that their emotions are not justified? Why are we telling people that what their feeling isn't real? Why do we keep denying that systemic racism still exists in our day and age? Christians are supposed to be advocates for the poor and oppressed and defeated. We are called to love each other and show the love of Christ through our actions. If we do not have love, then we have nothing.

By invalidating the feelings of African Americans, we are further pulling the veil between the black world and white world. Du Bois' literary work, "The Souls of Black Folk," says it best:

Herein lies the tragedy of the age: not that men are poor, - all men know something of poverty; not that men are wicked, - who is good? Not that men are ignorant, - what is Truth? Nay, but that men know so little of men.

What happened to empathy? What happened to looking at people and seeing their brokenness and understanding what it’s like to be broken? Somewhere along the line, the largest problem facing the United States is the invisible color line that society has created.

All human beings are created in the image of God. God knew the ultimate suffering of sacrificing His only Son on the Cross -- for the rest of the world -- and yet we choose to mock and invalidate others' suffering! Let us not forget that our God knows suffering. And when he looks down at His children who are oppressed, He remembers all their tears. He hears their prayers. And He sees who the ultimate oppressors are.

Let us not argue over the things that divide us but love one another as humans who identify in suffering. Humans who know what it’s like to be on the losing team. Humans who were born with the capacity to form long-lasting relationships. Humans who are called to reflect the Kingdom of God here on Earth.

“Love the Lord your God, and love your neighbor as yourself.” If we refuse to offer love to those who need it, we will create an environment in which apathy is the norm. Choose to feel and let others know you care. That’s how we spread the Gospel. Love. Pure, unconditional, selfless love.