Black lives matter! Blue lives matter! Brown lives matter! All lives matter! Unfortunately, the message resonating throughout the landscape of America appears to give voice to “no lives matter.” As the world sends a message which belittles human life, we, as a community of faith, must counteract that message with love, hope, and truth.

We must proactively share the “Gospel of Jesus Christ” (Good news) and plant the seeds of hope in the garden of people’s hearts and minds regardless of differences – race, ethnicity, or gender. Every life is precious! However, as a community of faith, if we are not careful we can become numb to this growing trend of violence and lose sight of how precious life is.

In times like these, God is calling for justice. By definition, justice is the administering of punishment or reward. It means doing what is right. It is about the fairness of laws coupled with fair and equal treatment — to give justice to the poor and the orphan; and uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Evil has reared its ugly head in Baton Rouge, Minneapolis, Dallas, Orlando, Ferguson, New York and Hampton Roads. Sadly, it has snatched loved ones away from their families and the communities they serve through acts of gun violence. That’s not justice. Whether black, brown, white, or blue, the lives of innocent people are tragically being cut short for no apparent reason and that’s not justice. A call to the righteous is a call for justice.

Amos 5:24 states, “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” You see, God is the defender and protector of the poor, the alien, the debtor, the widow, those who are on top and those who are at rock bottom – those who are right and those who are still in their wrong. Justice is not just for a few, but for all – because justice is part of God’s purpose in redemption. Justice is all about the well-being, security, and in particular the restoration of broken relationships. Let’s face it, the relationship between black and blue is broken. The relationships between Black and Blue are in need of restoration. Relationships between Black and Black are in need of restoration. Relationships require justice and the peace of God to be made whole. As a community of faith, we must position ourselves for justice to roll and righteousness to flow so what is broken can become whole.