speak up...it's time (June Monthly Letter)
black lives matter.
I apologize for being late in sending this letter. I have been trying to find the words that I truly want to say, but cannot. I’ve been back and forth on this page, trying to research and write, but every time I start, I end up freezing at some point. Please just know this: I have been very sad, angry, frustrated, overwhelmed, and stressed with everything that has been going on in the world lately. From Black people dying at high rates due to Coronavirus, to them being killed simply because of hatred. From young women being raped and their stories neglected, to people defending their abusers. Even the US President practically making it seem like there’s a war going on with his language and actions, to Churches/their leaders being silent about (or even worse-defending) all these things. I am truly exhausted. I know that I do not have the capacity to make a change in every single space, but I do know that I can use my platform to bring light to these things, in hopes that you will learn something, share something, and be encouraged to use your voice as well. Because we are a People called to love and serve people, we need to pay attention to what is happening in the world around us. Please do not be silent, Kumam. You may not be able to say much, but you can say something. Ask God to give you the words to say. Speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable. Speak out in order to judge with righteousness and to defend the needy and the poor (Proverbs 31:8-9, CEB).
I would like to list just a few names that have sparked a lot of the protests, hashtags, and conversations we are hearing today: (TW)
Breonna Taylor, (add. website)*
George Floyd, **
Tina Ezekwe (add. if you understand pidgin)
& Jennifer.
Here’s how you can help efforts in the US. ***
Here’s how you can help efforts in Nigeria. ***
Listen to my friend, Shavonne’s podcast, “Exodus and Revelation: Justice IS the Revival”, available on Anchor, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
I hope that you continue to stay informed, to say their names, to work for justice, to seek God for peace/sanity, and to continue praying for people around the world. And if you want to talk about these things a bit more, please feel free to reply to this email and/or message me on Instagram!
* as of today (June 4) Breonna’s case has been reopened. Her birthday is tomorrow!
**as of today (June 4), Chauvin’s charges have increased to 2nd-degree murder, and the 3 other policemen have been arrested
*** You do not have to live in these countries to assist. Both links have options for those who are abroad.
june prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for being a Sovereign God. Thank you so much for your faithfulness. I praise You for the fact that you never sleep nor slumber, you do not take your eyes off of us or close your ears off from hearing us, so please hear us today. I know that You see every injustice that has come to light recently and I pray that you give us the strength to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Give us the strength to fight for justice and seek what is right. Because you are a just God, we know that you will take care of these things in your own way in Heaven, but you have also given us the opportunity to seek justice here on Earth. I pray for those who do not know what to say, that as they open their mouths to have conversations, to rebuke and educate others, that the words just flow because of Your Spirit. I pray that the words are rooted in love and not in hate. I ask that as many of us just feel overwhelming emotions that we are able to ground ourselves in this truth: that our hope is in Christ Jesus: our Solid Rock, our Cornerstone, our Prince of Peace, our Counselor, our Advocate. I pray that as we continue to fight, we do so from a place of love and not of hate. Help us to continually challenge our motives, that the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing to You. I ask that even when things begin to die down, that we do not stop fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves and that as a Church, we be a leading example of what it looks like to value every life, every soul, ever Image Bearer, and especially those who are vulnerable, in every way that you give us the grace for.
I ask all these things, expectant to see how You will answer these prayers, in Jesus’ precious and holy name,
Amen.
june verses
Quit your worship charades. I can’t stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings— meetings, meetings, meetings—I can’t stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You’ve worn me out! I’m sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer-performance, I’ll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I’ll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you’ve been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don’t have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless. (Isaiah 1:13-17, MSG)
But let justice run down like water,
And righteousness like a mighty stream. (Amos 5:24, NKJV)
june word of encouragement
You are God’s prized possession (James 1:18). Please don’t forget that. Love you!
I hope you can see my heart in this post/letter and I hope you find ways to help fight against these injustices. Please reach out if you want or need to talk.
Much love always,
Kumam 🧡