Although I confess that I am sometimes guilty of this, myself, I am unhappy with so-called "knee-jerk reactions". That is why I have waited before making any comment on the recent death of George Floyd, that has sparked riots all around the world. The initial reports merely informed me that a black American had been killed when a white policeman kept his knee on the black man's neck, ignoring pleas from the onlookers, and even from the man himself. Of course, my reaction was one of anger, and I am glad that the police officer involved has been formally charged with second-degree murder, and that his colleagues have been dismissed from the Force. No man deserves to die in such a manner. No family should have to live with the knowledge that one of them was killed in such a way.
However, at the beginning, little information was given about the 'victim' other than his skin colour and his name. It has taken time for additional information to surface. That information paints a somewhat different picture from that offered by the MSM in the immediate aftermath of the video-recording of George Floyd's death going viral.
So who was George Floyd? Was he really just the man, described by one of his children, six-year-old Gianna Floyd, on the programme Good Morning America on Tuesday, as a fun man who often played with her. Is this man summed up in the words of Gianna's mother, Roxie Washington, said on Good Morning America on Monday: “He would put her on his shoulders."?
It would appear not! Apparently, he was, at the time of his arrest, under the influence of proscribed drugs, and was also carrying drugs. The arrest took place because he had been accused of attempting to pass off a counterfeit dollar bill ($20). He had been, throughout his adult life, a regular guest of the American prison service. On one occasion, he was part of a gang that broke into the home of a black pregnant woman, in order to steal cash and whatever else they could find. It was George Floyd who stuck a gun against the stomach of this obviously pregnant woman causing her to plead for her life. That, I suspect, was a traumatic incident that she will never forget! This does not, to me, sound like a fun-loving father! It would also appear that he had other children, not all by the same woman, in different parts of the USA!
Does all of that last paragraph justify his death in the manner in which it was caused? Of course not. However, I would suggest that it does diminish the cause of those who have used his death to riot in major cities around the world. It does call into question the "martyr" identity that he has been given by so many.
And the riots! The MSM have not been as quick to publicise the deaths of others during those riots - including a 77-year-old retired black police chief - murdered by a black person as he attempted to guard a store that was being vandalised. George Floyd's death does not justify the thuggery, and the theft, that has gone on during those riots. It does not justify the destruction of property in mob violence.
Sadly, I believe that all of this - what may be described as the "breakdown of society" - is one of the many indications that we are in what the written Word of God describes as "the last days". Paul, writing to his young '"son in the faith", pastor Timothy, states: "... understand this, that in the last days there will come times of stress. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, fierce, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding the form of religion but denying the power of it." (II Tim 3:1-5). And he gives the sound advice: "Avoid such people." (v.5).
What should be the Christian response to the current events? I fear that that depends on who is asked! There are those who appear all too ready to jump on the current BLM (Black Lives Matter - of course they do, as do all lives!) bandwagon, and to make some kind of political statement that may, or may not, be based on a Biblical text. However, permit me to suggest the following:
1. We should "weep with those who weep" (Rom.12:15)
Whatever his background; whatever his crimes; whatever he ever said or did; George Floyd was loved by others - family, and friends. That was obvious by the numbers who attended his funeral service. I recently quoted Anglican clergyman, John Donne. Here is the whole of that poem:
"No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee." (emphasis added).
As a disciple of Jesus, I mourn the death of George Forbes also because it would appear, on the evidence available, that he has gone to a lost eternity.
2. We should listen to those who suffer.
Every day I pray for my brothers and sisters, in the Lord Jesus, who suffer for their faith - many of them in ways that are, quite frankly, beyond my imagination. But they are not alone in their suffering. There are many who suffer, through no fault of their own, but who are ignored by the vast majority. When I was last in Scotland, I spent a few hours on a Friday evening, in the centre of Glasgow, working alongside a group who seek to bring both practical help, and the message of the Gospel, to those in the city who are homeless. Listening to some of the stories (vouched for by others!), made me realise afresh just how blessed I and my loved ones are. I have outlined, above, a little of George Forbes' adult life. But what kind of childhood did he have? Perhaps if there had been someone to listen to, and wisely advise, "child George" the adult would have turned out completely differently!
3. We should be ready to share the Gospel message.
The George Floyd issue aside, there have been many who have pointed out that the Covid-19 pandemic has made an increasing number of people more aware of their own mortality - and that many who would not have even considered, six months ago, entering a church building, are now tuning in to 'online worship' as restrictions against church gatherings continue (although it is okay to gather in an unruly mob, totally ignoring "social distancing"! It is also okay for journalists to do so in order to harass public employees!). This should provide us with fresh opportunities, at a personal level, to "... be prepared to make a defence to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence;" (I Peter 3:15). Finally,
4. We should pray with increasing fervour.
There has been much, in recent days, about "bending the knee" as a way of showing solidarity with those whom we class as the oppressed! What we need is for more people to "bend the knee" before the Creator, seeking His infinite wisdom; crying out for His intervention; asking Him for His instructions.
"The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects." writes James (James 5:16). But who is righteous (i.e. in a right standing with Almighty God)? Paul, quoting from the Book of Psalms, writes: "None is righteous, no, not one;" (Rom 3:10) - which makes James' words sound rather hollow! However, although I have no righteousness of my own to claim, as a disciple of Jesus, I may claim His! So I may pray, with confidence, assured that Father God hears my prayer, and that He will answer - even although that answer may not be the one I wanted!
May the Lord's will be done, in these days as we await the return of the Lord Jesus. He alone is our Certainty in uncertain times.
