Kirk Franklin
I am a lover of people. I never meet strangers. I don’t remember a time that I’ve ever said no to a request to take a picture; I’m never that busy. Not only do I love people, I love life. I love seeing couples holding hands, I love the different colors of seasons, you name it. If it’s about life, I love it… which makes it very hard for me when life is not respected… or when it’s lost.
This past week the news outlets filled our minds and hearts with two different individuals who’s lives were taken in two different ways. One was a painful reminder of how fragile and imperfect these earthly bodies can be with the loss of Lauren Hill; the courageous nineteen year old who fought an inoperable brain tumor until the end. The other was Walter Scott, the fifty year old unarmed black man who was gunned down by a white police officer. I personally didn’t know Lauren nor Walter, but they were members of this treasure we call life. And I hurt for those close to them because it can all feel unfair sometimes.
Some of the things we Christians try to say during people’s losses are not only some of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard, and they are theologically incorrect as well. God does not have a shortage of angels anywhere found in the bible, so that is off the table when we lose the ones we love. I think we are so afraid to feel that deep cut in our souls that we try to say stuff to cover up the anger, fear and confusion that comes when life is lost. But… I think it’s time to feel it.
Life is becoming disposable in our culture lately.
We’ll cry for a day or two, but then Lil Wayne will drop that new mix tape or your favorite reality star will get arrested again and the hurt is now replaced with gossip and jokes. Twitter followers and credit scores are replacing the heartbeat of humans. Athletes play hurt because they’re afraid of being cut. And the politically correct climate has sucked the life out of individualism, so we’re afraid to have views of our own. You offend someone now, no apology can bring you back.
Every body is disposable…
My kids have a lot of friends who don’t go to church, so I love to talk to them and get a feel on their view of life since they will be driving the wheel of the times very soon. Probably not surprising to some of you, but this is just a few perspectives from a few twenty year olds:
Music should be free because the ones making it are rich.
Marriage isn’t necessary.
Christians hate gay people.
Gay people hate Christians.
Police hate black people.
Church is whack.
Do what you want, you only live once.
I hate that HATE continues to be a theme that we see in our world. We’ve advanced in so many ways, but can’t seem to get LOVE right. So if love can’t ever get right, life is right behind it. They need each other to survive. They crave your respect and attention.
That’s why I believe deeply that the losses we’ve experienced this week need to be felt.
We need to pause and grapple with the harshness and frailty of LOSS so we can perhaps cherish what we’ve been blessed with. Watch the video of Walter Scott being shot in the back. He’s a member of the life club. Read the story of Lauren Hill. See how courage couldn’t have found a better spokesperson. She, too, is a member we lost.
If you don’t, something will grab your attention and you’ll forget. Trust me. Everyone is arguing about whose side God is on instead of making sure we’re on His. Love and life are precious, and sermons fall at the doors of empty churches without them. I believe God’s love letters to be our bluebrint for life. But if the goal of truth is absent of the preservation of ALL life, then tell me please, what in God’s name are you saving?
Pews?
Turn off the arrogance, and turn up the love.
Love life….
When it’s gone, its gone.
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