Word of the Week: Listen
To use an old-fashioned newspaper term, Charlottesville was “above the fold” on almost every newspaper in America after Saturday, August 12th and the violence here. That means we were on the front page, and on the part you see first…the first story. None of us wanted that. One Grace member worked with the local woman who was killed. We deplore the violence and racial hatred.
What next: Let’s do some listening. Let’s not assume all the problem is those nasty outsiders. Let’s grab a friend who is from another race or background and listen to them. Let’s listen well enough to be pushed by some of their comments. Let’s be quiet at first and bring our push backs to the second conversation. Let’s build understanding and love.
Some local pastors are already discussing what a Christ centered approach to all this should be. How do we link arms with people who worship the God of the Bible, and call Christ their savior? Pray for all of us as we consider what we must do going forward.
In Him,
Don