I’m gonna try and save some lives!!! (A lesson this morning from the Texas Floods).
I woke up this morning and turned on the television and heard some very powerful commentary from a strong black Texas City resident who came to Houston to help out during this catastrophic event. This is a very powerful life lesson to all of us living in America and around the world. This story addresses both racism and terrorism in our world.
The United States has not been so united as of late. For the past few weeks it has been openly reeling from the racist activity and marches of White Supremacist and the counter activity of its protesters. Diverse activists and protesters have banned together to say racism will not be tolerated nor will it thrive openly anymore in this country. I thank God for those who don’t mind risking life and limb to fight against racism and to declare, “Not on our watch”.
I’ve even heard white religious leaders (Rick Joyner in particular, who I know personally), say that the counter protesters are just as guilty as the White Supremacist and should be equally condemned for their activities. In particular, he’s called out Black Lives Matters. He says that they should be condemned as a hate group, extremists, and dangerous. He says that they are equivalent to the KKK and other white race extremists.
I heard Rick Joyner say that Black Lives Matters has done more to stir up hate and division in this country than any of the White Supremacist groups that exist today. He says that they are, “Far more responsible for the division arising in America than the white supremacist groups.”
For the record, Black Lives Matter are activists that were unofficially formed as the result of the rash of killings of young unarmed black men in the streets of our cities by armed “trained and unbiased” white police officers. In particular the killings of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida and Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Brown’s killing was the main event that put this new generation of activist on the map.
By definition an activist is “a person or group who campaigns to bring about political or social change.” I’m not a fan of Black Lives Matters. I reject some of the extreme embracing of certain groups and lifestyles that I find hard to endorse in lieu of my mother’s teachings and my upbringing. I believe that “activists” must exist in order to prick the political and social conscience of the powers that be.
Here is an exact quote from Rick Joyner:
“…the white supremacist groups probably would not exist now if it had not been for Obama. They were just about fading out, we had just about dealt with racism in America.” My question is, “Who” had just about dealt with racism in America? Obama is the reason White Supremacy still exists in this country? This is the kind of commentary that gives the church a bad name.
For the record there is a grave difference between White Supremacist and Black Lives Matters. White Supremacists and White hate groups believe that their lives are “Superior” to the lives of others not of their race. Black Lives Matters and other radical activist, counter groups, believe that all “All races are equal”. They believe that, in light of America being only 14% black and in light of the easily accessible recorded history of bigotry and slavery in this country, “Black Lives Matter”.
You are probably saying what lesson is this from the “Texas Floods”. Well, here it is.
I woke up and turned on the television and there was the chaos in Texas. I was shocked that Houston is beginning to look like the aftermath of Katrina. At the same time I was blessed to see how people are coming from everywhere to help out. Lives are in danger. White lives are in danger, Black lives are in danger, Asian lives, Hispanic lives, Arab lives, all lives are all in danger. People are responding to endangered life and not skin color.
They’ve called out the Coast Guard, the National Guard and all other humanitarian agencies that exist to help save lives. Men and women of every race creed and color are on a mission to save the lives of all men and women regardless of race, creed or color. It’s a horrible and yet beautiful sight at the same time. People caring about people, paid or volunteer.
This is what I saw:
CNN’s Ed Lavandera was reporting on the rescue efforts and he sees two random men, one black and white, putting a boat in the water underneath an overpass near Houston. Lavandera says, “You guys just jumping in to help out? “Yes sir,” one of them said. The man was a big strong good looking bald black man. He and his white accomplished looked like there were on a mission. Lavandera asks him. “What are you going to do?” The anonymous, ramble, black man says, “Gonna try and save some lives.”
His exact quote was, “Go’ try to save some lives.” What kind of lives? White lives, Black lives, Brown lives, Red lives, all lives. The man said that they were just gonna try and save some lives.
This interview during this storm should remind us that we’re all in the same boat. There is a storm of sin that has crept into this land. All of us are affected by it. It does not matter what the color of your skin is or what you claim your nationality to be. We’re all affected. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. When a boat comes by that can save you, you can’t be picky as to who’s driving it. Just get in, if you want to be saved. I feel like this man with the boat under the overpass somewhere in Southeast Texas. I’m on assignment to “try and save some lives.”
Fredrick Douglas said concerning America’s Salvation:
“I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong.”
I wholeheartedly agree. You can’t be racist and expect to save lives. You’ll pass some by. You can’t think that some lives are superior to other lives and think you can save lives. Seeing a black man and white man working together in this crisis t try and save lives is powerful. It also shows a check and balance. They will hold each accountable and they will have to demonstrate that “ALL LIVES MATTER” by reason of this natural flood. As, all lives matter to God by reason of the flood of sin.
As a preacher of the gospel. I am under obligation to, “Unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong.” I am under obligation to not allow any prejudice or any nationalistic propensity to cause me to hook up with some extremist group that has a personal vendetta towards another people group. As a preacher of the gospel I am also under obligation to speak truth to power and to herald that racism is a sin and injustice is a stench in the nostrils of God. Actually, activism is a sure way and a biblical way to fight against any injustice.
I and all who have been called by God to preach the gospel should have an allegiance first and foremost to the one who has called us and not to man. I’m gonna try and save some lives. I know my lane and my responsibility. I know who called me. The flood of sin in engulfing this nation. Here is what I hear God saying:
John 3:16-17 NKJV
6 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Get in the boat. Let Jesus rescue you. He did come. He did live. He did die. He died for the sins of the world. But, he’s not dead. He did get up. He’s risen from the grave. If men would believe in Him. (Not a European version of Him, not a Western Civilization version of Him, not a North African version of Him), If men would have a personal encounter with the biblical, historical and resurrected Him, their lives would change. Listen carefully. If you believe in Jesus, the world won’t change, racism won’t go away, sin won’t cease. The reality is, you will change, racism will cease in you and your sin will be washed away and you can have eternal life and receive power to do something about what’s going on around you right now. (Economically, Socially, Educationally and Spiritually).
I’ve made up my mind. I’m gonna try and save some lives. This storm in Texas says to me, it’s our job to help save ANYONE who needs saving. Like the man in the CNN interview, we need activists. We need people who don’t mind losing life and limb. He’s putting his own life in jeopardy for the sake of others. Hopefully, we can do the same.
Keep praying for the people in Texas. Call to encourage them and when it’s time to send relief do so. You can’t mark you care package white only, or black only, brown only, what you have to give has got to go to whoever needs it and whoever receives it. Selah!
“Gonna try and save some lives.”
—Vaughn McLaughlin