Thoughts on Charlottesville

Where there is hatred, sow love.— St. Francis —

A life was lost, dozens were injured, and families are grieving after yesterday’s white nationalist protest that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia. What started as a protest to remove a statue of a Confederate general from a local park, turned into an act of violence, leaving people dead and injured.

This protest is just one of the many incidents that our country has witnessed in the past year involving race. And many can argue that race and religion have been the root of these tragic events, but have they really?

What is the root problem? What is causing people to act so violently against those who look and believe differently than them?

This is not a race issue. This is not a religion issue. This is not a confederate statue issue. The issue is deeper than that. This is a HEART issue.

Hearts need to change when it relates to those who are different than us.

Here at In the Name of Love, we couldn’t let another day go by without speaking up. Our ministry stands on love, unity, community, and diversity. No matter what others may look like, dress like, or believe, we stand on loving others despite our differences. Hating others because of our differences has caused problems in our world, but has not solved one yet.

Nelson Mandela states that no one is born hating another person because of the color of their skin, their background, or religion. Hatred is something that is learned.  

We firmly believe that if hatred is something that can be taught, love is something that can be taught as well.

“Where there is hatred, let me sow love.” — St. Francis.

Living in a world filled with an immense amount of hatred, it is our responsibility as followers of Jesus to do everything In the Name of Love. Where there is darkness, we bring light. Where there is hatred, we bring love.

We believe a nation with God at the center is a nation that racism, violence, and hatred cannot exist. It’s time that we bring Jesus right back where He belongs— in the center.

“Hate stirs up trouble, but love forgives all offenses.”  Proverbs 10:12.

We ask that you join In the Name of Love ministry as we pray this prayer over our hurting world:

Jesus, help us make You the center of this world. Help us see others the way that You see them. Help us sow love into a world where there is hatred. Help us do everything In the Name of Love.

Amen.