Time to stop killing
A pastor says we all have moral shortcomings, we all feel anger and frustration, but we must find a way of resolving it without violence
This pastor’s heart is heavy and remains in fervent prayer after reading The Baltimore Sun’s article (“Two men killed in separate Baltimore shootings in Pigtown and Shipley Hill,” June 20) that reported the 132nd homicide of 2018 occurred about a block from the Charles Carroll Barrister Elementary School.
I would be a liar if I said I have never felt bitterness, anger, pure disgust at someone over something. I would be a liar if I said that I forgave people instantly when they did me wrong. I would be a liar if I said I never rehearsed over and over how I would get someone back for whatever harm they caused me. See, the purpose of this address to you is not to lie but to come correct with it. Most importantly, not to say goodbye.
Shifting the atmosphere, front and center, its time to stop. It’s time for us to stop wiping out us.
At times, living life is a struggle and has its challenges — this you already know; from dealing with folk you know; from dealing with folk who think they know you, but really don’t have a clue; from folk who “just living that life” only to test you and even from within the self, your own insecurities and fears. You are not alone.
I do not know the journeys of your personal and intimate “life” roads traveled, I do not know the many pains or hurts that you suffered at the hands of others. I do not know the many tears and screams endured because words could not measure up to your intense feelings. I do not know all of what or who you may have lost during this struggle of life. I do not know.
What I do know is that there is a better way, and that is love. Hear me: Put the weapons down and live life more abundantly by not deciding to end someone else’s life abruptly. Love in such a way that you would not risk to catch a case, do a bid, hope for home visit furloughs. Love in such a way to remember that life of any kind is not yours to take. Finally, love in such a way because God first loved you to live that you would not be in any want.
If you ask, what can God do for me that I can’t take care of myself or remove by myself? The answer is God’s plan. The most important part of God’s plan is our existence; for us to receive healing, health, prosperity and happiness here and now. In exchange for your weapons; in exchange for poisons; in exchange for abuse; in exchange for neglect; in exchange for hunger; in exchange for pain; in exchange for revenge; in exchange — Wayman Memorial AME Church offers you God’s plan. Not killing but fulfilling. Not manipulating but cultivating.
In the words of Marvin Gaye, “Brother, brother, brother — there’s far too many of you dying. You know we got to find a way, to bring some loving here today.”
We are here and ready to serve our community.