There are many ways to get your morning news. With notifications just waiting on our phones to greet us, I've learned to be cautious about what reaches me first. Thus, I like to wake up and begin my day with a devotional prayer and reading the bible. Often, this comes after I muster the strength to get up, brush my teeth, and rid myself of the stench of sleepy breath. Good thing God isn't offended and listens even when my breath does stank. Don't judge me :)
At times I'm more of a give me the good news first typa of guy. It's disarming in a way, to the bad news, not that the reality of it is any different, but the degree to which I allow it to impact me shifts. But today I wonder about what we deem as bad news, or at least the most relevant news. As I entered the elevator of my apartment this morning, I came across the following image:
Among the 4-5 images and captions they could've shared this morning were both "The End of an Eras tour approaches, making a bittersweet moment for Taylor Swift fans" and "LeBron James misses1st game this season, sidelined versus Portland due to left foot soreness".
I thougth to myself, this is why I'm so numb and namely ignorant to what's going on around me.
What did I learn from this? I learned that LeBron did not play last night. I learned when I was much younger that when someone doesn't play, that means another person takes their spot. I was often that eager boy on the bench waiting to be put in.
So many people could've played last night:
They could've played the clip of Syrians searching for their relatives in Saydanya prison.
They could've played updates on South Korea and reported the consequences of a country's President decreeing Martial Law.
They could've picked from 40,000 Ukranian soldiers who have been killed as a result of the Russian invasion.
They could've played the 45,000 Russian casualties suffered in November alone. They coudlv'e told told the truth about the numbers and how you never really know. They coudl've talked about the wages a country pays for war.
They could've talked about the bodies still buyant from a capsized boat in Egypt's Red Sea coast.
They could've listed the lives lost after landslides buried homes in Uganda.
They could've played the picture of Jahnay Bryan who's still missing.
They could've played Palestine and showcased the Israeli airstrikes, and the endless suffering going on in Gaza.
They could've played the hundreds of thousands of people whose health care is not being covered.
They could've replayed the fact that Brian Thompson is no longer breathing and his killer is still on the loose.
They could've played Israel Maldonado, a 14-year-old boy shot to death in Chicago.
Someone was supposed to take LeBron's spot.
I'll be the first to say, that solely hearing about death is daunting. But the reality is that people are dying by human hands daily. Our numbnes and fatigue to the reality of what's going on will not protect us nor will it change the truth. I believe the news, like life must be balanced. But balance is a privilege many people do not have. When you're living inside of a nightmore it's hard to tell someone to simply wake up. This is not a dream. As Americans, as a global power, as one of the world's biggest bullies, we have a responsibility to reckon with what is taking place internationally and domestically. The danger lies in living like what we do doesn't have an impact on those around us.
I'm not mad at LeBron, I'm mad at the media. The frustration is with the way we, as a country, curate concern. It's disheartening how easily we erase the effects of oppression. But through it all, I remain encouraged that there are those of us who will press beyond the veneers, who will demand justice for all, who will use our voices for good, and who know that what's going on is not merely a physical feat but a spiritual one. I pray fervently for peace and my faith inclines me to act in accordance as a peacemaker. I'm talking about a restorative shalom peace offered by the Prince of Peace. In the words of my brother Ra'Daniel Arvie, there is a greater peace that is more than the absence of conflict but it is one of wholeness, completeness, and fullness of well-being".
So, during this Advent season, as we celebrate the arrival of our savior Jesus Christ, let us reflect on what it means for us to be delivered. I must wonder why we are delivered from evil, from the selfish and sinful parts of ourselves, and ultimately from the conseunces of death [Ephesians 2:1-2].
So during this time I will as Psalm 27:14 says:
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart
be courageous.
Wait for the Lord.
While we wait, let us be strong. While we wait, let us give allowance to humility working through us; a humility that discerns when to remain silent and when it is time to speak, a humility that is concerned with all of creation and not just ourselves.
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