I hope & trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day begins to dawn on the Texas Gulf Coast.
On Monday, February 5, 2018, El Paso County (CO) Sheriff's detective Micah Flick was killed in the line of duty. He is survived by his wife Rachael and 7-year old twins.
I love the weekends. I have time to scroll through Facebook, seeing what my friends have been up to - they are some real characters! - but also to look for inspirational stories and videos. I came across the video of Rachael's eulogy of Micah. Wow! If you Google it you can watch it. You will see, and hear, some pretty amazing things. You will see a woman who knows Jesus Christ as her Lord; you will see brokenness & sorrow and yet you will also come to understand the scripture that tells us God will give us peace that goes beyond understanding; you will see love, a ton of love; and you will hear some great, God inspired, words of wisdom.
Aside from her deep love for her God, husband & family, the community that has loved on them and the deepest of gratitude - they are all evident and profound - she said three things that really stood out to me. I want to share these, paraphrased to the best of my recollection, with you this morning and then expand on each.
1. We have to stop dehumanizing each other and see the heart & soul of the person
2. We don't have a racial, political or gun control issue, we have a heart issue
3. Honor your calling
So let's talk about them a little bit...
1. We have to stop dehumanizing each other and see the heart & soul of the person.
I have thought so much about this comment over the course of this past week. How many times do we have a problem/issue with someone and we start picking them apart in our minds? Looking for the faults/failures in everything they say and do? O.K., maybe it is just me...
Here are some definitions of "dehumanize"
- Merriam-webster.com says "to deprive of human qualities, personality, or spirit"
- Dictionary.com says "to deprive of human qualities or attributes; divest of individuality"
- Thefreedictionary.com says "to deprive of human qualities such as individuality, compassion and civility"
Someone has a different view - take your pick, there are so many issues we can, and do, disagree upon - than us so we dehumanize them. We, first in our minds and then in our words & actions, dehumanize them. Somehow believing that because you have a different political, gun control, religious, etc., etc., etc., view than me you are less human. That you no longer have a heart and soul and thus, it is o.k. for me to tear you apart in word, and far to often, in deed.
So often with Happy Friday's I challenge us to do something. This morning I want to challenge us to stop doing something - let's stop the dehumanization of others. We are not the judge, jury and executioner. The Bible actually speaks directly against these things. Let's instead live out Matthew 22: 37 - 39 which says, "Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it; 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
2.We don't have a racial, political or gun control issue, we have a heart issue
She isn't saying that racism, or any other -ism, doesn't exist, that there are not real political issues or making a statement about gun control. What she is saying is these things are all the fruit which comes from the ultimate root of the human being - the heart. What she is saying is literally taken from the Bible. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."
There are a whole lot of people running around with unguarded hearts. The great issues we are seeing in our world today - and they are many - are not about politics, any of the -isms or gun control, they are issues of the heart. We are looking at and fighting over the fruit we can see and saying & doing very little about the root, the heart.
And here is where it can get real challenging; you & I control only our own hearts, we cannot control the heart of another. So we can fight, argue, legislate into eternity and unless there is a change of hearts, nothing much will change. As I type this I am reminded of the Serenity Prayer - to control the things I can control and let go of the things I cannot. I can control my heart and I can have a genuine love in my heart for everyone, regardless of the fruit I see in their lives. This is what I will choose to focus on and pray about this, and every, day.
3. Honor your calling.
When Rachael spoke these words she was speaking to the law enforcement folks in attendance however it is really a message for all of us. It spoke so deeply to my heart. God has placed you & I on this earth on purpose, for a purpose for which he has perfectly equipped us. Honor it! We don't honor it by dehumanizing others or trying to be someone we are not. We honor it by relentlessly pursuing the potential that He has placed within us. And please never forget this; Our calling is ALWAYS to be used to serve - Serve! Not judge, hate or fight with - others.
As I started writing this Happy Friday "Bleed The Same" by Mandisa came on the radio...I don't think it was a coincidence. Here are the lyrics:
We all bleed the same
We're more beautiful when we come together
We all bleed the same
So tell me why, tell me why
We're divided
Woke up today
Another headline
Another innocent life is taken
In the name of hatred
So hard to take (hey!)
And if we think that it's all good
Then we're mistaken
'Cause my heart is breaking (tell it, 'Dis)
Are you left?
Are you right?
Pointing fingers, taking sides
When are we gonna realize?
We all bleed the same
We're more beautiful when we come together
We all bleed the same
So tell me why, tell me why
We're divided
If we're gonna fight
Let's fight for each other
If we're gonna shout
Let love be the cry
We all bleed the same
So tell me why, tell me why
We're divided
Tell me, who are we
To judge someone
By the kind of clothes they're wearing
Or the color of their skin?
Are you black? (black)
Are you white? (white)
Aren't we all the same inside? (the same inside)
Father, open our eyes to see!
We all bleed the same (we all bleed the same)
We're more beautiful when we come together
We all bleed the same (we all bleed the same)
So tell me why, tell me why
We're divided
If we're gonna fight
Let's fight for each other (fight for each other!)
If we're gonna shout
Let love be the cry (be the cry!)
We all bleed the same (we all bleed the same)
So tell me why, tell me why
We're divided
Only love can drive out all the darkness
What are we fighting for?
We were made to carry one another
We were made for more, said
Only love can drive out all the darkness
What are we fighting for? yeah
We were made to carry one another
We were made for more!
We all bleed the same (we all bleed the same)
We're more beautiful when we come together (let's stand united!)
We all bleed the same (we all bleed the same)
So tell me why, tell me why
We're divided
If we're gonna fight
Let's fight for each other (fight for each other!)
If we're gonna shout
Let love be the cry (be the cry!)
We all bleed the same(we all bleed the same) (bleed the same)
Let's stand united (let's stand united)
Let's stand united!
So Father God, I pray
That our families will come together right now
And seek Your face
You will forgive our sins
And You will heal our incredible land
In the name of the only Savior, Jesus Christ
Amen
Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.
Have a great day, a wonderful weekend and please cherish your precious families.
Kev
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