Tuesday, April 12, 2022

1 Peter 3:8
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
 
Upon returning from a recent trip to Minneapolis, I began to reflect upon the violence that has consumed this community. These crimes committed in the Twin Cities have common themes: senseless, racial intolerance, and injustice. Each person died, mostly at the hands of police, deserved basic respect and better treatment from the authorities and community members. 
 
Peter wrote to Christians reminding them that because they are in relationship with each other, they should treat others as Christ has treated them. We all walk a path with similar and basic expectations, but our journey is not the same. Our upbringing, economics, and even the color of our skin has influenced our course. There are twists and turns, inclines, forks, rocks, and even holes that require us to find a way out. Prejudices, economic instability, entitlement, and intolerance seem to cloud our hearts, minds, and actions. The common factor for all of us is our relationship with Christ. As you journey, treat others as you wish to be treated, have sympathy, be humble, and a tender heart for all people. The roadmap for our journey begins by looking within ourselves to strengthen our relationship with Jesus. 
 
The people of Minneapolis are struggling with constant turmoil in their community. The people feel that authorities are making senseless decisions, so they react by using their voices and actions to peacefully protests, demonstrate and riot, hold memorials, and graffiti the spaces around them. At first glance, the solutions seem so far apart, but a closer and personal look tells us the answer is within and begins one heart at a time. 
 
Dear God,
Please help us to strengthen our relationship with you. Help us to enact peace in a community where injustice dominates. Use our sympathy, tender hearts, humble minds, and love for one another as our guide to do your will. 
In your name, Amen
 
Cindy Fritz