Rodney King was a victim of police brutality in the spring of 1992. The four Los Angeles police officers who beat him were acquitted of nearly all the charges. Riots ensued in the city and lasted six days. King appeared on television calling for an end to the violence. He uttered a statement that became somewhat famous. “Can’t we all just get along?”
I understand the above description, and many would say King’s statement, were oversimplifications of larger situations. However, I don’t believe that completely invalidates them. King’s question has been raised again considering all the touchy issues that politics and the pandemic have raised.
A slightly different question though has been rolling around in my mind lately. “Can’t we all be kind?” Maybe then we could all get along. I consider past and current tragic events and I have a difficult time comprehending how some human beings can do the horrible, ugly things they do. Often it makes me sad. Other times it makes me angry.
I like to read about others who suffered difficult times and still served God well. They inspire me. One of those people is Holocaust survivor Corre Ten Boom. She said, “I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world’s healing hinges, but on his. When he tells us to love our enemies, he gives along with the command, the love itself.”
Love your enemies. The people we don’t like, the people who are mean. The people we can’t imagine wanting to be nice to. But Jesus said to love them. He also said, in John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” That’s why it’s so important, even when it’s hard.
Corre Ten Boom also said, “Some knowledge is too heavy…you cannot bear it…your Father will carry it until you are able.” I don’t know about you, but heavy is how I’ve felt lately. But I think, if I give it to my Father, it will be easier to be kind. Want to join me?
You are loved!
Pastor Cindy