Black and White vs. Unity

I am confronted these days

No, assaulted is a better word

My reason is violated

And my heart is in tatters

My eyes are tempted

Enticed to close

To turn the other way

To ignore the ignorance

My Mind craves denial

My logic begs for satisfaction

But, for these things I am denied

And all because of hypocrisy

When I have the courage

The strength to look

To venture past my own doorstep

And peer into what lies beyond

I find the World wanting

And I cannot believe my ears

My heart cannot deny the truth

The very air is filled with lies

There are those who often cry foul

Seeking to pull the board

To wrench it from other’s eyes

Ignoring the Sequoia in their own

Won’t spend too much time explaining

If you don’t know the current issue

The flavor of the hour

Let me tell you it’s all black versus blue

But this old world isn’t monochrome

And it isn’t black versus white

Nor is it black versus blue

No, it truly is a kaleidoscope

Won’t waste too much of your time

Won’t make up your mind

No fancy intellectual games here

Just plain simple me

At your service

And if you need some more hints

To help you see current events

Then all I can really give you

Well here it is, it’s just this

No color is better than another

Though God created them all

And He knows them intimately

In this instance He’s color blind

Don’t get me wrong

Or take me out of context

He hears our prayers

And he weeps over our losses

But he expects more from us

Than we seem willing to give

He wants us to set aside selfishness

Wants us to take up our crosses

And what cross is this

The primary one I speak of

The whisper roaring through my soul

Still small voice calling for our attention

You ask me

It’s this my friend

My fellow traveler

We are called to greater purpose

We need to stand shoulder to shoulder

You see, there is no victory

No battle won or true enemy defeated

Where we fight for our own rights

A servant’s life is what we are called to

Lest we forget

Lest we plead some ignorance

If we say Christ is our Lord

Then where is it we stand?

If we are to be reflections of redemption

If we are the peacemakers

Then how did we end up

On two different sides of this line?

Yes, my dear friends

My brothers and sisters all

Brutality is most certainly a crime

But so also is false judgment

And let me tell you

Something maybe you already know

Those sticks and stones

Those ugly names and vicious lies

Well, you and I both know they leave scars

There are no easy answers

To so much water passing

Far too much already under this bridge

So there is only one answer

One thing to start the healing

And yes, it comes with a heavy price

You know it won’t come easy

The strength to do the right thing

Comes down from on high

So what is this costly thing you ask?

What unknown miracle awaits our discovery?

Well it’s one that was given us already

Forgiveness

Without our passing it on

There cannot be

That which God asks of us

No healing without sacrifice

This black and white divide

So there it is in print

My call and challenge to you

And me

You can call it vague

You can call it ignorant if you want

But I tell you once more

Maybe in plainer terms still

We are called by our God to this thing

And a prayer by Jesus was spoken

That we would live in unity

So I beg this request

Of you this huge thing I ask

Lay down your sword

And I’ll put down my shield

Let’s remember who’s we are

Let’s set aside these painful things

Let’s forgive each other our failings

And seek peace while hand in hand

And then maybe together

We can accomplish the impossible

Break down these barriers once for all

And live to see Jesus’ prayer answered

And in unity we’ll bring healing

To war weary hearts bring rest

Drying these many shed tears

Repairing brokenness with overflowing love