There’s a lot of fear and uncertainty in our world today. And it is times like these that (hopefully) people turn to their pastor to hear what he or she has to say. But when it comes to the recent events in this country surrounding police brutality, racism, abuse of power, protests, riots, looting and more, here’s what I have to say: nothing.
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t want to sound apathetic or uninterested. Because I’m not. It’s just that, well, maybe it’s not my time to speak right now. I’m a middle-aged, middle-class white guy; and maybe instead of talking, it’s time for me to do some listening.
There’s an art to listening. The first step is to stop talking. Then it’s important to reach out and tune in to someone who has a different perspective than you do. So instead of this pastor telling you what I think, I’m just going to listen for a while. There are many insightful, helpful perspectives that I need to hear from these days. There are words of anger, frustration, fear, doubt and pain. And it would be wrong for me to talk over those voices right now.
I also want to listen to God’s voice. He rarely speaks through a voice from the sky. But He often speaks through His people. But you’re not going to hear Him if you’re not listening.
Eventually, I’ll have something to say, I’m sure. Something about justice and peace, bad apples, good fruit, due process, freedom from oppression and inescapable judgment. But before I speak up, it’s OK to stop talking, stop typing and just listen.
“Unfriendly people look out for themselves;
They bicker with sensible people.
Fools find no pleasure in understanding,
But only in expressing their opinion. …
Those who answer before they listen
Are foolish and disgraceful.”
Proverbs 18:1-2, 13
‘til the storm passes by,
Pastor Billy
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