Praying with One Eye Open???
When my husband blurted out in shock the 'Breaking News' of the shooting that popped up on his twitter feed, I couldn't believe it! I had to sit down and just breathe quietly... because on any given week on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night, THOUSANDS of small to mega churches have their doors unlocked and open for those who will come in for Bible Study, Choir Rehearsal, Prayer Meeting and/or some kind of Ministry meeting; and because we believe in "ALL ARE WELCOME", we leave our doors open and unlocked, many without security...just in case someone comes in off the streets, that we may have the opportunity to minister to them. Stray, homeless or passer-byer, it doesn't matter our Faith informs this willing vulnerability, so we can be open to Serve. We leave ourselves open because we believe, God is our Shield and Protector. We leave our doors open and unlocked, praying with eyes closed and bowed heads, to honor the Lord but also because God has not given us a Spirit of FEAR, but of Power, Love and Sound Mind. But after last night, I am concerned there will be a shift toward suspicion, not love and people of faith will start locking doors, unwelcoming stray visitors and praying with one eye open.
When sacred spaces become terror sites, it is shocking and unearthing in ways that are difficult to put into words. The worship space, is supposed to be the place for families to come and lay their burdens down, but after last night, has become the place of our greatest burden. Sadly this is not the first time, and even more frightening it will not be the last. And while I stand with the need for gun control; the deep issue isn't guns...in fact our nation has a cruel history where sacred spaces have become terror sites due to fires, bombs, burning crosses, machete's and yes, guns. The deep issue is the hatred that runs thru the DNA of the USA. I recall to mind, just last month, in Phoenix, ARMED citizens were ALLOWED to post up outside a Mosque, in protest to that group. Waving their weapons disgustingly proud, and claiming to stand up for their America. You can't allow some to stand Armed, then be shocked someone else, actually takes a SHOT! And so this alleged shooter (since we are innocent until proven guilty) followed the sick play book, or maybe added to the book another form of the terror (come in, participate, then strike) of so many hate groups and individuals, that we have seen in the past.
So tonight, I will join the many voices who will participate in a prayer vigil; praying for the grieving families and community; but I will also be praying that our Nation has a shift from such hatred, such racism and such terror. I will be praying that we stop suggesting, that we live in a post-racial society and come to terms that racism and other destructive ISMs, are at an all time high, so we can confront and correct. I will be praying that parents stop purchasing weapons for their children, and find new ways to express parental love and support. I will be praying that we don't compartmentalize this as an incident, but go much deeper to examine the national pattern of hatred in our beloved nation. And, I'll still keep praying with my head bowed and eyes closed; because the enemy can not win.
N.
