I have sat down to write this blog several times over the past week, even started a few sentences only to have the words elude me. As I've told my readers, I write when the Spirit instructs me and when that happens the words fly from my fingertips. Obviously, what I was trying to write was not Spirit filled and when I look back at the feelings I was having, there is no doubt. See feelings of hatred are not from the Spirit. The Spirit is a source of Love, Peace, Compassion, and Hope. I can honestly say, I have not been Spirit filled these past few days.
On April 23, I was reminded that 37 years ago, my father, Sergeant Robert Barlow of the Baltimore City Police Department, died in the line of duty. He wasn't shot by a perpetrator, but died of a massive heart attack after saving the lives of four different people while on duty. With all of the hatred directed at the Baltimore City Police Department, I couldn't help but take it personally and this angered me. Not only did my father die, protecting and serving the city I grew up in, but I have many friends and family members that have sworn to do the same thing and are holding the thin blue line as we speak. I suppose it is the sinner in me that naturally wants to rant, place blame, and point fingers at the rioters and their senseless acts of violence. Naturally, I want to blame government officials for the way the did or didn't handle things. And I passed judgment on the parents of the ones involved. I wanted to and have responded with negative comments on social media all in the name of "getting my point" across. Definitely, not the act of the Spirit, but of my flesh.
As I sat glued to the television last night, watching the destruction unfold before my eyes and listening to the police scanner reporting violence in the very neighborhood I grew up in, it hit me. No amount of complaining on social media; no amount of finger pointing and no amount of name calling is going to make a difference. The only thing that can make a difference is God and His Holy Spirit. After Jesus was tried, convicted and put death, He rose again and appeared to His followers. He didn't return to name call, point fingers, or seek vengeance on those who wrongly accused Him; instead He returned and baptized His followers with the Holy Spirit, commissioning them to go into the world and spread the Gospel.
We are living in a lost society. A society where many feel hopeless, abandoned, lost, confused, angry and hurt. Those that do not know or have not witnessed the love of the Lord Jesus Christ, through His followers, have nothing to hang their hat on but their earthly ways. Their actions and reactions are based on these empty, fleshly emotions. I can understand that. When I lost my father, I was 12 years old. I was angry, really angry and that anger followed me and festered within me well into my early twenties. I acted and reacted in the most destructive ways, because I didn't know any other way. It wasn't until I was introduced to the grace, mercy and love of Jesus, that my soul was healed. That introduction came through people who didn't cram the Bible down my throat or drag me into a church service, rather they simply showed me through their actions, the same unconditional love, acceptance and forgiveness they had through the Lord. Recognizing their peace, made me want what they had.
The solidarity of those preachers who marched through Baltimore City in front of the officers, yesterday was an example of the peace that is promoted by Jesus Christ. It was a living, breathing example of what we are told in the book of Romans. Chapter 12, verse 21 says, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Unfortunately, this one act is not going to be enough to change years of disillusionment. However, the good news is that our God is relentless in His pursuit of the lost and as His disciples, we should also be relentless. The time is now for the followers of God to actively pursue, with love and prayer, the lost.
James 1:27 says, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." The orphans and widows are our neighbors; these angry young people who know no other way to express themselves then through violence. It is time for us to unite and make it our mission to pray for, work with, mentor and educate our young generation. Not with brimstone and fire, but with love, understanding and compassion.
Every follower of God, is commissioned to do these things, though each in the way they are called. Some are called to march in peace; some are called to provide food and drinks for our law enforcement; some are called to join in mentoring programs; some are called to stand on corners; some are called to help in the clean up and some are called to pray in solitude. Romans 8:5, "Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." But what we are all called to do is love one another. After all that is the great commandment. Matthew 22:37-39, And He said to them, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And you shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Today, I implore everyone to let the Spirit lead you, but I encourage everyone to share a smile and a kind word with a stranger. I encourage everyone to pray for redemption, healing, safety and resolution for the Gray family, the disillusioned rioters, our law enforcement and military, the City of Baltimore and State of Maryland and their leaders as well as our country as a whole. God is using these events as a teachable moment for everyone. Let's learn from it; grow from it and further the Kingdom because of it. God is and always will be in control and His Spirit will triumph in all of this.
For my part in the "hating", I ask for forgiveness. The Spirit has convicted me.
Until next time, I pray the Lord Jesus bless and protect everyone!
Cat
