Someone asks if you're willing to die for it.
What do you do?
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.
May we come to grips with how we live our lives.
May we accept responsibility and embrace the reality that we do not have [all] the answers.
May we continually look to you, for you O God know that which torments our hearts.
In light of catastrophe and chaos, may we be granted with the calmness of your peace.
Allow us to understand that our lives are "not our own".
Help us endure the turmoil of our hidden biases.
Heal our land.
Amen.
Time sure is flying by. It's almost April. Down to business.
On today March 26 @ 12:30pm EST the Black Graduate Student Organization at Carnegie Mellon University will be hosting a "Justice for Trayvon Martin" rally in Pittsburgh.
I'm actually excited. Not to say that I normally wouldn't be, but the fact is this is my first time "rallying" around something. I've always been someone who expressed thoughts and opinions but seemed to not be near any action. Once I got the invitation to the event, I accepted immediately.
Justice will be served.
"God is not mocked. That which you sow, you will also reap" (Galatians 6:7).
A lot of people are straight up "pissed" about the events leading up to and in particular after the death and murder of Trayvon Martin. I for one am part of the crowd.
For a second I'm going to step away from Trayvon's plight, but we will return.
#transition1
Time and time again I've discussed this importance of mental health. Specifically, in one posting I stated something to the effect of, "...Jesus suffered so ours would be less, I go to counseling for those who should but don’t. In essence I take their pain..." Pretty bold of a statement among other things.
Here's a quick clarification in case I haven't done so yet: Don't let me fool you; I also must be counseled. I was sent to counseling as part of a "stress management" program; we did none of that. In many cases I'd discuss what was going on in my life. Everything I mentioned was a form of ministry or had ties to such. At one point my counselor wised up and said, "Your faith is a big part of your life." My immediate response: "My faith is my life."
It seemed as if we hadn't talked about that much according to him. For some reason it sounded as if he said, "never" (talked about it). I found that odd because I thought we always had. Originally I was somewhat uncomfortable in talking to a stranger whose job is to listen to my story...as far as evangelism, how much easier can it get?! Eventually I came to know this "storytelling" as a benefit as I was "perfecting the craft".
We eventually rounded back to the statement: "Let's go back to that (statement): 'My faith is my life'. What does that mean?"
We talked some more. I did my best to explain what it meant, and why I felt the way I did. Unfortunately this was my 6th session out of the available 12. I had decided to take a break and save the rest just in case I should need them. We had began to purposefully talk about my faith. It was like getting that "good sleep" only to be awakened by your alarm clock #tooSoon
Now back to Trayvon...
#transition2
Trayvon Martin died for what seems to be nothing short of being a "living stereotype". What do I mean by that? A black youth, outside after dark (February 26th was before Daylight Savings Time), with a hoodie...clearly he's up to no good, right?! It isn't Trayvon's fault that he's black. Nor should there have been a consequence for going to the store and buying iced tea and a pack of skittles, which was partially for a relative...he didn't go only for himself. A 17 year old minding his own business who is then chased down....
Shaima Al Awadi, a 32-year old wife and mother of five children died for what seems to be nothing short of being an ethnic minority inside a country which has been in conflict with her "homeland". A country which harbors some of the most ruthless, hate-filled, and provocative human beings on the face of the Earth, who in turn take extreme steps to let it be known whether or not they appreciate you being in "their country". A country that has a daughter asking, "Why did you take her from me?"
Martin Luther King, Jr. died for what seems to be nothing short of ...
[insert name here] died (or will die) for what seems to be...
Jesus Christ died for what seems to be....
In a way these persons have become "unintentional icons" for the struggles that they have faced, much of which comes from them being who they were created to be.
What's the point? Is there a takeaway... It's difficult to truly do any of these stories, these individuals justice in regurgitating that which many of us already know. They simply were and are...beings. Sadly to say, it seems that being can be as hazardous to your life as unhealthy dietary decisions. This can be summed up in what I told a brother of mine who has recently become a "crazed fanatic" or "health nut" if you will: "Living is hazardous to your health".
Anyone of us, at anytime, for any reason can be targeted for being who we are; whatever that entails. Even if it's because we're just here...or there...or wherever we may be. Inherently we have a right to be who we are, because for us we hold it true to our hearts that it's okay to live and be.
So I ask you again:
You believe it to be true. Someone asks if you're willing to die for it. What do you do?
Why?
The quick skinny:
- Some of us may be "called" to die for what we believe in, even if it's just being who we are.
- As unfortunate as times like these can be, there is good that can be found if we are willing to not only look but work for it as well.
What does this mean for me? #theReader
It could mean be willing to die for what you believe in. It also could mean that you should be prepared to die for being yourself. Outside of that, you'll have to decide.
This is F.U.N. (For Ur Needs) Use your KEYS
This is F.U.N. (For Ur Needs) Use your KEYS
- Know that there's a high degree of likelihood you'll be persecuted b/c of who you are
- Expect to be challenged on what you believe especially if it's reflected in the way you live
- Your life is yours to live, and how you live it speaks volumes about you
- Stay committed and don't be afraid to find new ways of living life
Challenge
- Find something worth dieing for.
Bob Ya’ Head
Die If I Have To (Katalyst)
