“As a prisoner for the Lord, then I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called, one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: ‘When He ascended on high He took many captives gave gifts to His people.’ (What does ‘He ascended’ mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its works.” (Ephesians 4:1-16)
The Lord has given me a beautiful gift of a heart that is burdened when I see injustice, and a boldness to call out injustices that I see. He has also blessed me with the gifts of leadership and administration… meaning I am more positioned than others at times to influence the narrative.
But, as our weaknesses are often our strengths out of boundaries, my boldness can turn into bluntness. My righteous anger towards the injustices around me can turn into a rage that becomes ineffective; people can’t see through the truth through my anger-drenched method of delivery. And my gift of leadership and responsibility can push me to take on burdens that were never meant for me.
Right now, the world looks very different, and quite frankly, intimidating to those of us with white skin in particular. We are being confronted by injustices and heartache around us in such a way that we can no longer ignore it. We can’t claim that we didn’t know. We can no longer truly say that we had no idea that racial tensions in the States were at such a high level. We can no longer say that we were clueless to the suffering of the black community. Now, it is directly in front of our faces… and to claim that we can’t see it is to claim that we are choosing ignorance and blindness. And as a the Body of Christ, we have a duty to acknowledge it and work towards change.
However, as is natural with any form of trauma, emotions are high. Anger and frustration seems to be everywhere we look. Claims of accountability tend to look and feel like sharp and cutting words. And the response to sharp and cutting words is often more sharp and cutting words.
As I look at the injustices I see – the racial injustices in the States, the political injustices in Haiti, and the frustrations and attacks I am facing in interpersonal relationships – the Lord is reminding me of the wonderful ways He has equipped me to speak truth and stand up during a time such at this. He also graciously lead me to Ephesians 4 as I start using my voice more.
We are to speak the truth, yes. But we are to speak it in love (v. 15).
Friends, the world is burning with anger right now. Can you feel it? I feel it in my heart. I’m tired of violence being committed against others solely due to the color of their skin. I’m tired of the systems of oppression that are in place. I’m also tired of my own ignorance and blindness towards it. I’m tired of violence in response to violence. I’m tired of harsh words in response to a traumatized people from American leadership. I’m tired of friends choosing blindness and anger, and their frustrations at me when I speak truth and shine light on injustices. I’m tired of dishonesty and lies to preserve systems…. At large, and in my own personal life. And this tiredness… These frustrations, make me want to want to slip into bluntness and harsh words. They make me want to take on the burden for myself, not acknowledging those around me who are working towards the same goal. This exhaustion and frustration threatens to push my strengths into their weakness territory, where my voice is no longer affective.
But I am choosing to remember the call we are given in Ephesians 4: to speak the truth in love, and to seek the knowledge of Christ for the sake of unity and maturity in the Church.
I will continue to speak out and bring awareness to racial injustice. But I will tamper my responses with grace, mercy, and kindness.
I will continue to seek truth regarding the systems of oppression around us. I will listen, even when the people speaking are speaking out of a place of pain and anger. I will show them grace and acknowledge their pain… Even when the words they speak are harsh.
I will continue to hold my fellow believers accountable. We need to hold each other to the highest standard possible. But I will do so in a way that is edifying, not in a way that tears them down.
I will daily check my heart’s desire, and make sure that it lines up with God’s desire for unity. My goal in hard conversations will be that of reconciliation, positive change, and mercy.
I will look into my own heart to see where I am contributing to the injustices around me, and I will allow the truth of Jesus to rip those lies from the enemy out of my heart.
I will use my gifts to speak truth and influence those around me to work towards ending injustice, and I will allow others to hold me accountable in the way I speak truth…. I will speak truth in love.
Friends, won’t you join me in an Ephesians 4 response?
Lord, during this time of pain and anger, help me choose to take action that honors You. May I respond in love. May I approach tough conversations with boldness, and the assurance that You have equipped me to do hard things. May the world see Your light in me. Let Your healing rain down as Your body seeks and speaks truth.
Staff Bible Study 
Nurse’s Appreciation Day at Hope Clinic
Alicia Lives in Haiti 