“He died for our sins.” In spite of being raised as a minister’s daughter, I could not fathom what that statement really meant. It never felt relevant to my life. Until now.
George Floyd died for our sins. He died for our sins of racism, bigotry, and ignorance. He died because we did not speak up in time to save him. He died because collectively as a society and as a nation we were deaf to what we should have seen or understood for decades. The shame is on us.
Before you turn away out of anger or disgust that I would dare to compare Jesus’s death to that of George Floyd’s, think about what George’s murder has illuminated for all of us: the immediate need for equality and love and understanding. What was Jesus’s message after all?
In spite of over two thousand years of history, Jesus’s message of love has endured. Somewhere along the way, though, it seems to have lost its meaning. Life in America became a never-ending lip syncing performance where our mouths were moving but we were not really singing. We talked about love and equality for all but kept a dirty, shameful secret: we were a nation divided by race.
In Joan Osborne’s 1995 hit, One of Us, she sang,
“What if God was one of us?
Just a slob like one of us
Just a stranger on the bus
Tryin’ to make his way home?”
Until two weeks ago, George Floyd was a stranger to most of us. Trying to make his way. To survive. He wasn’t turning water into wine or dividing the loaves and the fishes but he was trying to take care of his wife and daughter. And life was a struggle. He died a horrendous death and instantly became an example. He woke us up. He caused a long overdue revolution of consciousness. As his six year old daughter, Gianna said, “Daddy changed the world!”
“If God had a name what would it be?
And would you call it to His face?
If you were faced with Him in all His glory
What would you ask if you had just one question?” (Joan Osborne)
Right now, I believe God’s name is George.
And the question is, “What can I do, what can we all do, to make sure we stay awake to this injustice, so that George’s death is never forgotten?”
For the next 2000 years.
Very moving… I have a realization once again as to how we can save our world… Thank you for your words… Words are power…
Val
Thank you Val. Time for all of us to change our consciousness and make a difference.
Well said, Jenny. Thank you!
Thank you for reading it, Beth.Feel free to share it if you resonate with the message.
Cousin, I am so thankful that you are not keeping things to yourself. Your teachings, as always, inspire and give hope and meaning during the worst of times. Love you.
Thank you Cousin. Love you too.
Very powerful, Jeni, and I am not offended at all by the comparison you make. Your words are powerful and very meaningful. Keep writing for we need to hear your voice!
Dad, that means so much coming from you. Love you!
Beautifully said Jeni. I hope George Floyd’s death is the last reminder we need. I think we are all asking what can we do to ensure this never happens again.
I want to learn more so that when I know better I can do better. There have been many insightful articles written recently that have opened my eyes to systemic racism I wasn’t aware of. That is not okay going forward. We need to be part of the solution and remaining uneducated and inactive means you are part of the problem.
Agreed! Thank you for reading, Colleen.
Wow! Lovely analogy and so true. Brilliant.
Thank you, Candy.