Man In The Mirror

These past few weeks, the brokenness of the world has become more and more evident. I have seen heartbreak and frustration. I have seen destruction tear apart this country. It is heart-wrenching to watch. It is difficult to see the good in a time like this where people are in pain because they feel unseen, unheard, and unknown. I have been contemplating how to approach racial issues. I always felt that my input did not matter because I am a 20-year-old white girl who has grown up with a lot of privilege. When it came to a time where I had the potential to insert my opinion or beliefs, I would choose to stay silent because I was afraid of the judgment I would receive for not being educated or knowing the struggle, so I would listen. These people were right. I do not know the struggle, and I will never pretend to. I can empathize, but I will never fully understand what it is like to be a black person here in America. 

In all honesty, I have a lot of mixed emotions about everything that is going on. I do not see everything going on as a political war. I see it as a war of darkness and light. I see the darkness coming in to destroy light and trying to dim it out, and it seems so bleak, but it is still shining. It reminds me of that song we are taught as children:

This little light of mine

I'm gonna let it shine

This little light of mine

I'm gonna let it shine

This little light of mine

I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

When you are tired of the dark, you turn on a light. That light resembles goodness, joy, and purity. As children, we did not know how cruel this world could be. All the hurt, all the anger, and all the sadness, we never understood. How do we turn on the light when we cannot see? We get out of bed and feel around a little bit. If we want to see this world full of love and peace, that starts within us. We need to take a long hard look in the mirror and ask ourselves if we are being honorable and loving to every single person we encounter. I stand by the philosophy of “you do not have to like everyone, but you must love everyone”. We may not all be passionate about the same issues in this world, but that is what makes it beautiful. If we all fight for the same thing, then how does change get made elsewhere? We need to realize the beauty in the brokenness and the shattered pieces and come together to make each other stronger. This is not a war on politics. This is a war of light versus darkness, and we need to start reaching out. 


Heavenly Father,
I pray for peace and understanding in this time of uncertainty,
I pray for boldness and courage to step out of our comfort zones,
and I pray for open hearts to listen to others. 
Amen.

Scripture of the Week: Matthew 5:14-16


Song of the Week: “Where The Light Is” by Dan Bremnes




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