2 min. read
I cannot help but notice the beautiful parallels between current social justice protests in US America and the ancient Hebrew story of Job.
The two narratives have many similarities. Job is in darkness, suffering the silence — or bad advice — of his friends, the scorn of his enemies, and enduring the indifference of the whole system which is bigger than him. And he refuses to remain silent.
So too with my black brothers and sisters who refuse to remain silent in the darkness any longer. It is indeed a significant darkness clouding the societal landscape, which cannot be ignored. It can be denied, but not ignored.
Black Lives Matter, Yes They Do
I grow disheartened seeing some social media posts from white Christians I know. Regardless of the intent, the majority of these posts seek to “Christianize” or subvert the audible pain and discontent they hear.
Would they listen to Job if he came around telling his story? Would his skin be too dark, or his story be too uncomfortable for them (for us) to just sit and listen?
You see, the most precious things we can give to anyone who is walking through the darkness are our presence and attention.
Job’s “friends” sought to give him advice, or tell him things weren’t so bad, or tell him he deserved what he was getting.
These are the same things I see white Christians far too readily offering our black brothers and sisters in this season. The “comfort” of Job’s friends was bullshit then, and the same type of “comfort” offered to the black lives that matter is bullshit now.
Why can we not learn to simply be present and listen to the story of another?
Why can we not try to be like Jesus in these crucial historical moments?
Why can we not recognize our very real privilege and, like God’s Son so often did, be willing to give away our privilege for the sake of the suffering?
I have no easy answers.
I do know, however, that listening should be the first step. Sometimes it’s the only step that some can take. But it is a far better action than the actions taken by those around Job. And listening is a better action than trying to dismiss or silence or ignore current suffering.
Defiant Faithfulness and Faithful Defiance
To acknowledge injustice and to do something about it is to display a defiant faithfulness and a faithful defiance. Many black brothers and sisters are displaying this brilliant and faithful defiance right now. The rest of us have a chance to join them in this faithfulness.
The suffering of African-Americans in this country has not abated for centuries. It is real. Though we white people who follow Jesus may not understand it, we cannot ignore it. We should never ignore it.
Jesus is in all of this. Jesus is the black individual suffering right now. Jesus is also the white individual who is willing to be present and listen.
Wherever you fall in this cultural landscape, embrace the Jesus in yourself and the Jesus in the other.