Say Something

I’m often hesitant to say something about situations involving race because I don’t feel qualified. I’ve tried in the past in multiple ways to at least do something, and I question if it has been effective. With sensitive subjects, I’ve seen decent people who are trying to make a difference seemingly make things worse. Like when your four-year-old wants to help you cook, but you know they are just going to make it harder on you. It’s sweet, but ineffective, and it can even be disastrous.

In a country where I don’t have much faith in our sensationalist news organizations who often make getting basic facts seemingly impossible, I wrestle with when, where, and how to say something. I often don’t feel knowledgeable enough to speak out, and I don’t want to be the four-year-old in the kitchen making things worse.

But I’ve come to see that my fears are not a good excuse to not say something when something needs to be said.

My heart is grieved and my soul is angry over the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. It happened just an hour north of where I live in Jacksonville, FL. It’s all on video, and it went ignored by the authorities for months. This is not a “partisan political” issue. It is a justice issue, and a mother has lost her child.

Perhaps you’re like me wondering what to say or do in response to this. You think of loudmouth idiots who want attention more than they want to make actual change and you don’t want to be like them.

Or maybe, like me, you think, “No one cares about what I have to say,” even though I’ve spent my entire life trying to get people to care about what I have to say. Being the youngest in the family will have that effect on you. I’ve performed comedy, preached sermons, written blogs and books, and now cohost a podcast. So obviously I want to be heard. However, none of these endeavors have resulted in any kind of career or following. I’ve never gone viral. So I’m inclined to believe that no one cares what I have to say.

However, I imagine what it would be like if I stood before God and He asked, “What did you do for the marginalized? What did you do about injustice?” If I replied, “I said nothing because no one cares about what I have to say.” I don’t think that answer would be met with approval.

It’s interesting that the Bible contains countless stories of people who seemingly spoke the truth to a crowd who wouldn’t listen to them. Most Old Testament prophets spoke out against the sins of their own people and were met with hatred, abuse, and even death. Acts talks about Paul’s unsuccessful attempts to change the minds of many people. John the Baptist was beheaded over it. Mark 6 says that even Jesus was unsuccessful in changing the minds of people in His own hometown.

So we must conclude that the excuse “no one cares about what I have to say” does not seem to matter to God. We have to say something at some point to someone.

Speaking to Christians specifically: Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5 that we are “Christ’s ambassadors.” To be an ambassador means we are a representative and mouthpiece for Christ. Therefore, it is our duty to say what Christ would say. You may think your voice doesn’t matter, but I am always inspired by my friends who speak out in love about what they believe grieves the heart of God, and it makes a difference in my life and actions. You don’t have to quit your job and spend your life organizing marches to make a difference. But justice should be part of a well-balanced diet for all Christians.

We have to say something at some point to someone.

I don’t suggest diving into every political or controversial debate that pops up on social media (as much as I love arguing with people I barely know and haven’t seen in 20 years), but we must talk about this with friends and family. Speak it out from the pulpits. Post about it. You don’t even have to write your own thoughts, just share someone else’s you agree with. Justice isn’t a toxic political issue.

We have to say something at some point to someone.

Yes, it may make you enemies, but what a wonderful reason to have an enemy. Yes, this may cost you friendships, but if all it takes to lose a friend is a disagreement over something that convicts your heart, then that is some dead weight you can be glad to lose.

So what happened here? An unarmed black man was pursued, shot, and murdered by two racist white men. The Glynn County authorities did not pursue justice.

It’s odd that in moments like the murder of Ahmaud, the people who say, “We need to collect all the facts first! Let’s not be hasty!” are the same ones who immediately expect every Muslim in the world to denounce acts of terrorism they had nothing to do with. This was an act of terrorism. It was about race. The lack of the response and lack of justice were about race.

As an ambassador of Christ, I denounce this racism and pray that God will convict our hearts and heal our land.

Listen to God and follow his promptings. We have to say something at some point to someone.

Fear is not an excuse that God accepts.