Right now in our world, there is a lot of conversation, protests, and change happening with the Black Lives Matter movement. I recently got to have a very open discussion with a neighbor who was adamant that “All Lives Matter” should be said instead. I shared with her a sign I saw from a local peaceful protest that said, “We said Black Lives Matter, never said Only Black Lives Matter, we know All Lives Matter. We just need YOUR HELP with Black Lives Matter because Black Lives are in danger right now.” This sign instantly reminded me of the story about the 100 sheep in Luke 15 and how Jesus went to protect the one who went missing because he was in danger. My neighbor and I got to go back and forth on why the right verbiage is so important right now and I shared with her that the Bible says we are all children of God and we have to stand with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Today’s reading from Ephesians says, “That is not the way you learned Christ! For surely you have heard about him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus. You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” We need to remember that it is okay to change your verbiage, your former way of thinking, your actions, your views, and your biases. In fact, it is a normal process of growing in faith.
My neighbor was open to hearing what I had to say and at the end of the conversation, she was thinking very differently and more openly. As in today’s reading, she was “renewed in the spirit of [her] mind” and I am truly so proud of her.
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