division

a year ago, I posted this photo outraged and saddened by this country's devaluing of human life. today, I post this photo again outraged and saddened by this country's failure to learn the should-be-simple truth that all people are created with incredible value, regardless of the color of their skin.

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

today I am sad. innocent lives lost this week. dads that won't be coming home to their children. sons who won't be coming home to their mothers. people who lost loved ones for unjustified reasons. 

that's what happened this week, not just last night in the Dallas shooting. it's all heartbreaking. heartbreaking to think that people still walk around in fear of others that don't look like them. heartbreaking that dear friends now flock to car dealerships because their broken taillights could cost them their lives. heartbreaking that people would kill others due to the color of their skin.

there is a phrase ringing through my head this morning, "divide and conquer." it's a simple strategy any soldier and athlete knows well because it works every time. if your opponent begins to fight themselves, they help you beat them. so why is division the go-to response? why is taking sides the answer? can we not all stand together against evil, no matter the color in which it comes? as believers, can we not mourn with all those who mourn this week? as believers, can we not stand for what is right in each and every circumstance?

if there is going to be change, it has to come from a realization that people have incredible value, no matter what the color of their skin. we are all created with this incredible value because we are made in the image of God. when did we forget this? why have we failed to teach others this simple truth??

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

dear friends, let's stand together, speaking truth in love against injustice. let's stand together, teaching our children that all people are created with immense value. let's stand together, making a difference so that our children don't have to fear the unknown. let's stand together, calling out the evil and shining forth the light of truth.