See the Blood!
During my devotional time at the top of last week, God spoke to my heart directly. It wasn't loud as in some times, but it was deliberate. I cannot recall if I was praying for strength as I interacted with others, or any one person in particular, but the directive God provided was in response to my words. I heard, "When you look at them, see the Blood." It wasn't a response that required greater clarity. I knew and understood exactly what was meant. And then I wept, because (1) I've shared that I'm a cry baby and (2) Because I knew that when God looks at me, or my behavior, or my thoughts or my actions, it is because the Blood is seen over me due completely in response to the sacrifice that Jesus the Christ made on the cross for me. Through the tears running down my face, coupled with my Hallelujahs, I went throughout the week operating through a paradigm shift of appreciating the people and situations around me more deeply because I am not the only benefactor of the Blood - it was a communal move without question.
It's hard out here in these streets - these streets that have required a different walk since this time last year. But admittedly, it's been difficult for me to witness people going about what they consider to be "their life," without having regard for the person next to them. No face coverings, ignoring rule of law, no distancing, storming the Capitol, murdering and using the power of words to divide, insurrect and harm. We have endured hardness. And I've found that the intersection of my day job as a diversity, equity and inclusion professional, coupled with my constant career as a believer has left me bitter. I've assumed more what I refer to as deep ancestral sighs than I can count and if it weren't for my morning exercise routine to work through some of these disturbance, I'd be overcome with stress that wouldn't be good for my health. But through the shedding of the Blood of Jesus, we must intentionally remind ourselves that the power of the Blood was done for everyone - even when everyone hasn't come into the full knowledge of said sacrifice. And just because they haven't doesn't mean that I get to treat them any different than what I pray that God continues to treat me.
Don't get me wrong, I have not reached a point of privilege that I don't acknowledge the hurt and pain folx have perpetuated. I don't always turn the other cheek; but I am learning to extend more patience and sometimes whisper a prayer as opposed to saying what my slick mouth would prefer. But as God declared in Exodus 12:13, "And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt." Further, I am reminded in Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” When I provide my commentary and spend my energy upset with others because of their behavior, I am engaging in the yoke of bondage, and that sisters and brothers is oh so unnecessary, and quite frankly, above my pay grade. I will leave the "increase" in the most capable hands of our sovereign God.
This last week busy and by Tuesday, it felt like it should have been Friday. Folx were wilding out and yet, in each circumstance, I shifted my gaze to see the Blood and my desire to engage manifested. Now, for sure, God is God, and I am not suggesting that we attempt to dethrone and enact our perceived sense of judgment; but what I am suggesting is that we look at each other through the lens of the dispensation of grace that we are afforded and that we imagine when we see reckless behavior occurring that if it were us, we would want the love of God to compel us as opposed to condemn us. Sometimes "seeing the Blood," means walking away, or choosing to silence yourself, or redirecting your disgust to a place where you may find joy, or create joy for someone else. Sometimes, you just gotta pass over stuff, and allow God to determine the outcome - without your assistance. See the Blood and live the life God has purposed for you.