When trying to process everything that has happened in the past few weeks and months, there are actually no words to describe everything that myself and all of America is feeling right now. So much hurt, pain and loss, and it absolutely breaks my heart. The tragedies that have been surrounding us are unfathomable and it is impossible for me to even attempt to completely understand anything that is happening, because more bad things inevitably keep piling up. The more tragedy we have, the less time we have to process.
Orlando, Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, a handful of officers from the Dallas PD... when will this craziness end? Can we ever just put the unity in diversity? In my opinion, in times of trouble in the world we should look to God for peace and comfort.
From a Christian, rather than political standpoint, I see the world as thoroughly infested with sin. Somehow, individuals have started to disregard the value of human life. When something bad happens, we act based on our more extreme emotions rather than taking time to think rationally.
From what I saw of the Alton Sterling video, it seemed as if he was subdued and unable to harm the police officers, but if anyone, no matter what race, had a gun on them even if I had them pinned down, I would automatically have an instinct to protect myself even if there was a slim chance the suspect could harm me. This is not said to try and justify the shooting, because I wasn't at the scene and therefore will never know what really went on.
With the police officers shot in Dallas, it seemed to be a very heated action that wasn't very thought through. If the suspect/suspects had weighed the consequences instead of acting with revenge, the outcome could have been very different.
Instead of this being some heated political debate concerning accusations of racism or police brutality or various other motivations, this is about America's sin problem. We have let our wordly selves get caught up in sin and gotten further away from God. No one seems to care about each other and with each passing tragedy, we become even more divided as a nation. What happened to "United We Stand?"
Even if you're not a Christian, there are certain morals that most individuals should/do hold that are Biblical. In John 15:12, Jesus clearly says "This is My commandment, that you love each other as I have loved you." Even if you don't believe that there is a Jesus that loves you, you should love each other. Treat others how you want to be treated, does that ring a bell? Would you want people treating you like your life is worthless?
I'm nowhere near being a politician because I don't like things that can cause tension with other people (#pacifist) but I do know that killing other people because of certain attributions (race or occupation) is not okay.
We all bleed red.
Without saying black/blue/all lives matter, I just want to say that life matters. We are given this life to glorify God and killing each other is not the right way to do it.
