Quick, Slow, Slow

Just a couple days ago, I held a gun. A gun brought up to us by our roommate, who heard from a buddy of his that the riots might start in our town, and he sent a video of how police in other states are responding to peaceful and non-peaceful protesters alike. I held the gun to familiarize myself with the feel and the weight of it as my husband explained the parts to me so I would know how to use it, should I need to. It's the first time I've held a gun wondering if I would need to use it for something other than shooting empty soda cans.

I wound up at a local rally on Saturday, and it was peaceful, some cops were there, it looked like they were listening, although I'm sure they're always on alert for trouble. Unfortunately, it only takes one "stray", or violent attendee to make the whole place a crowd of enemies. Is this even part of what's causing the riots in other places to happen? I don't know. However, hearing about how other local law enforcement is handling other situations in their states, and the unrest and confusion surrounding the violent attacks, whether by those who are that fed-up or people looking for an opportunity to cause trouble, I worry that the violence could spread here. Nowhere is immune.

God, I don't know if I could fire a gun at someone, certainly not if I don't know for sure that it's the right thing to do. I do feel I need to be willing though, should the situation arise where that need is clear. So, I know how to hold it, I know how to switch the safety off and on, and I know how to fire; but I also hope it never comes to that.

From posts and videos, it's hard to tell where brutality starts and self-defense or upholding the law ends. I don't know "who started it" in each fight, all I know is that victims and perpetrators alike are being taken down through violence. All I know is that there is wrong all around. All I know is that there is a lot of yelling going on, and I'm not so sure anyone is listening to anyone else. Everyone wants to be heard, everyone wants some sense of control, and no one has it. The winner will be the most brutal of the bunch if this continues.

Lord, help me listen despite all the noise. 

"In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, 

so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear,

slow to speak and slow to anger;

for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God."

-James 1:18-19 NASB

Lord, show me what needs to be done. 

The Bible is full of things to do: how much of it do I put into action myself? Each of us was created with purpose, we can't each do everything by ourselves. But may that never be an excuse that I use to not do something.

"Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God the Father is this:

to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."

-James 1:27 NASB

How many of Your people actually do this? How much do I do this?

"'Then the King will say to those on His right,

"Come, you who are blessed of My Father, 

inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat;

I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink;

I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;

naked, and you clothed Me;

I was sick, and you visited Me;

I was in prison, and you came to Me."

And the righteous will answer Him, "Lord,

when did we see You hungry, and feed You,

or thirsty, and give You something to drink?

And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in,

or naked, and clothe You?

When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?"

The King will answer and say to them,

"Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine,

even to the least of them, you did it to Me."'"

-Matthew 25:34-40

As each opportunity arises, I must do what I can, showing no partiality for status, or color, or age, or intelligence, or faith, or sins -- nothing. There is no partiality with God, so there should be no partiality by His people, and it starts at home.