In a world like today where it seems as if we're constantly turning corners and being faced with disaster and betrayal, it can be very difficult to decide what we think is right and wrong and what we are called to do. As Christians, it can feel like we are being relied on to be the “good people." Christians are supposed to be fair and good-hearted and want the best for every person. We are supposed to share and display the love of God right through ourselves. God uses us as beacons for other human beings.

Then why is it so difficult for people, including some Christians, to support and grasp the concept of the Black Lives Matter movement?

It is no secret at all that, in the United States (and some other parts of the world), there is great unrest. Following the killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, by police officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on Floyd's neck until he passed out and eventually died, multiple protests have broken out. It is also no news to anyone that, during these protests, there has been a lot of looting and destruction of businesses and other public structures. While it's unfortunate that these places are being harmed, we should agree that it is even more unfortunate that innocent black people are continuously being killed.

The killing of innocent black people by the police, or by anyone, needs to stop.

I believe that, as Christians, we often think that we need to put everyone on leveled playing grounds. We recognize that each and every person was made in God's vision. We see ourselves as equally loved by God, which we believe should mean we love everyone else equally. Some Christians who are not black may even be offended by the Black Lives Matter movement and say that "all lives matter." But the phrase is “black lives matter" not “only black lives matter." What they fail to recognize is that this is not a movement to put black people on top of every other race. It isn't saying that if you aren't black, you don't deserve to be protected and to live. It's saying that right now, at this moment in time, black lives are at stake. If you aren't black, your life is not in as much danger. At least, you probably aren't in danger because of the color of your skin, especially if you are white.

This movement is not to put down everyone else.

If we want everyone to be put on the same playing field, don't you think we should be trying to raise up our brothers and sisters of God, who are black, so that they are no longer hurting? I've seen a few great visuals and read great comparisons for #BlackLivesMatter versus #AllLivesMatter (and I will take no credit for these, but they are certainly great food for thought). So for example, the house down the street from where you live is on fire. The fire department arrives, ready to put out the fire. Your house is not on fire. Therefore, there is no need for the fire department to try and put out a fire in your house that isn't there. Your house is special, of course. It matters. However, your house isn't on fire.

Another example that I've really enjoyed is the story in Luke 15 in the Bible where Jesus tells the Pharisees a parable of a man who loses one of his 100 sheep. He goes to look for the one missing and leaves the 99 to themselves. This parable originally is about God not leaving sinners to themselves and rejoicing once they repent. While the Black Lives Matter movement is not saying at all that those who are black are sinning, I believe that the story can work either way. God will gladly help the sheep who is wounded while his other sheep are healthy.

I have been very disappointed lately, scrolling on social media, to see so many fellow Christians, whom I admire, are so resistant to care and speak up about the lives of the black people in our country who are deeply wounded and who have been cast aside in society.

I don't personally understand why one would hesitate to recognize when another human being, another child of God, is in need of support and the love of God. We are supposed to love others as God loves us. Some of you fail to recognize that God would burn down every Target in existence if it meant the liberation of His oppressed children. John 13:34-35 says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this, all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another."

So why aren't we loving one another?

Why does it take the oppression of people we are supposed to love for the rest of us to recognize that they need love, just as much as everyone else? For my fellow Christians who are not black, stand up and make the world closer to God's vision. Be the driving force that gets us all closer to equality and away from racism and oppression.

All lives do, in fact, matter. But right now, it's the black lives that are wounded and that deserve liberation and treatment that is fair all around.

It doesn't matter if you're black, white, any other person of color, a Christian, atheist, a fast-food worker, a cop — find it in yourself to make the world what it needs to be. Any little bit you can do helps. Christians, pray that God watches over the protestors and protects them from the brutality of the police and the government and anyone else who tries to stand in the way of equality. Pray for peace and that one day soon, we will be closer to the world God wanted for us all along.

Black lives matter.