Brie Gowen

Savor the Essence of Life

How Would Jesus Respond to Black Lives Matter?

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There are so many aspects of society and its response to racism and inequality that I could talk about, but there’s really only one small part of this very large issue that I wish to discuss today. And that’s the thing. In essence this is a really small part. It’s a small act of service that we can provide to our brothers and sisters in the midst of a very large issue. In fact, this tiny concession means a big deal to the people in the muck of this mess, and who wouldn’t want to sacrifice (if I can even use such a lofty word) something so minuscule to make a huge impact on the feelings of another?

I think one of the bigger things bothering me during this uprising following the heinous murder of George Floyd (aside from blatant ignorance and racism, of course) is the position of some Christian brothers and sisters. Their perhaps well-meaning proclamations are hitting the ground flat, and they don’t represent me, although I am not one who is worthy to judge. You see, I too used to feel much the same as pious phrases I see pop up on social media, but I am grateful that the longer I live, the more the Lord reveals things to me. So, I thought I’d share what He’s saying.

As Christians (white Christians, that is), it’s easy to say things like, “Jesus died for us all!” And while I agree that’s true, we can’t stop there at such a deep-seated issue. After all, Jesus died to conquer sin, something that sadly still abounds and must be confronted. Remember when Jesus got angry and confronted sin in His Dad’s house?

We as white Christians will say that love is colorblind, and that the Lord only looks on the inside of a man. Again, these things are true, but the problem is that man doesn’t just look at the inside. In fact, they mostly look at the outside. They can’t help themselves. It’s that sin nature. Although we should desire to see people like Jesus, the problem is, we do not. We can’t change an entire society in a day. So, Karen, while I agree we should judge mankind by the red blood we all bleed, there’s too many bad people not doing that. We need to face up to that first.

And here’s the one I hate the most. Do you know I even said it before myself? I thought it was the Christian thing to say; what Jesus Himself would say. But now I realize I was just saying what I wanted to believe. What mattered to me. I was being selfish. I joined the band of good people saying “All Lives Matter,” but I never considered how far off base I was. Although all lives do matter to Jesus, in the face of inequality and racial injustice, I really don’t believe that’s what Jesus would say. I know, I know. I’m freaking you Caucasian, Southern Baptists out right now, but if we could ask Jesus how He felt about the Black Lives Matter movement, I really don’t think He’d respond like a large number of His followers.

Jesus would not say “all lives matter.”

When I was praying about this earlier and asking the Lord to reveal to me His heart on the matter I kept thinking about the verses in the Bible where Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. I started to Google “what the Bible says about equality ” or something to that nature, but my mind just kept telling me the feet washing was all I needed to know.

I felt like Jesus said to my heart, “when you say Black Lives Matter, you’re washing feet.”

Y’all, stay with me. In John 13:1-17 we read the account of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. First off, you need to understand something about feet back then. They were dirty. Everyone wore saddles, walked in the desert, and probably in animal excrement too. Every house had a basin at the door so people coming in could wash their nasty feet before entering. Even the poor homes had a basin for guests. The richer homes, though, had a servant who actually would wash the feet of the guests. Can you imagine having that job?!

When Jesus washed the feet of His disciples He was taking a posture of humility. He was saying that even though His Dad was The King and it was His House, that He would lower Himself to the role of a servant, washing away our dirt, and making us more suitable to come into His home.

Posture of Humility. I want you to think about that.

John 13: 12-15 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. ““You call me ‘Teacher and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Do your remember the greatest commandment? It was to love the Lord your God, and second to love your neighbor as yourself. Our black neighbors have not felt very loved, and rightly so. They have felt less than us. Do you remember who Jesus revealed Himself as Savior to first? A Samaritan woman, who historically was considered less than a Jewish man, not only because of gender, but also race. Yet Jesus chose her for a very special event in history; to be the first to know the Son of God had come to earth to save mankind.

Jesus came to save us all, but He also understood what it was like to be marginalized. He revealed Himself to a Samaritan Woman to prove that He stood with the weak, the ones who were judged unfairly, the people who felt wounded by society. He loves us all, and He came to save us all, but He chose to reveal Himself to a woman who had been treated unfairly based on things other than her soul. He also took on the role of a servant to show mankind that humility is the best way to love!

Posture of Humility.

When people are hurting, Jesus takes a posture of humility. When people are treated unfairly, He takes a posture of humility. Yes, He throws tables too, but the beginning of having a servant heart comes with humbling yourself. It comes with saying, “I will be less, so you can be more.”

To answer back to Black Lives Matter with All Lives Matter, while basically true, is really the opposite of what Jesus would do. Check your heart and ask why the phrase bothers you so much. Is it because it implies white lives don’t matter to people? Or that police lives don’t matter? Or that your life doesn’t matter?

1 John 3:16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

No one is asking you to lay down your physical life, even though Jesus did, but if you truly want to follow His example, you would see that a huge part of being a Christian is laying down yourself. We must constantly lay down our own desires and look at the desires of others. We must constantly check our own selfish ambition and motives. We must take the role of servant and see to the hurting people around us, forgetting our own pain, and only seeing that of others. When Jesus washed the disciples feet He knew Judas would betray Him, that Peter would deny Him, and that Thomas would doubt Him, yet He washed their feet anyway. He took a posture of humility that said, “it’s ok that I’m giving my life. This isn’t about me right now. It’s about you. Let me wash your feet.”

Do you see now? If you see someone hurting, cry with them. If you see someone angry, listen to their words. Hug them. No one is asking you to hang on a cross simply by answering, “yes, your life does matter. I’m sorry people have treated you like it didn’t.”

I would encourage you to lay down your pride and take the position of Jesus. Take a position of humility. The position of a servant who sees the injustice towards others and offers to wash their feet.

Do You Want Equality, or Retribution?

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I’m going to be very honest with you. I didn’t want to write this post. I woke up with it fitfully on my brain; I had dreamed of it. Then even as I would try to fall back asleep, I would wake with it flitting through my mind. I tried to explore a couple of topics I wanted to write about, but this one kept getting in the way. So I’ve decided to put it down and see what happens. Just know that anything I feel led to say here is with love, but I am also human, so if I flub my words I do ask for your grace. 

Recently my husband and I watched a great movie called The Free State of Jones. If you haven’t seen it I suggest you check it out. If you don’t know the history of your nation then you really should take the time to learn it. History is how we face our past mistakes and then learn from them. The best way to commune with others is by trying to walk a mile in their shoes, and though you can’t always make the same hard trek they have, you can lay a sympathetic hand on their shoulder and say, “I’m sorry, friend.”

As Ben and I watched this film we were naturally affected by how this huge piece of history ties into our lives. As children of God, and more importantly lovers of Jesus, our main goal in life is to approach other children of the King in a way that pleases our Father. That’s not always easy in this life, but when you see what a wretch you are personally and how God redeemed you, it just makes sense. 

At one point, though, my husband said something bothersome. Bothersome because it was true. 

“It’s like the Civil War is happening all over again.” He said sadly. “We’re not going forwards, we’re going backwards.”

His words come back to me this week as I watch anger around me. I see people speak certain things, and I can almost picture the rage dripping off their tongues. They’re angry, and anger is good. Righteous indignation can move mountains, and it can get points across where mere meek words are unable. But anger is also a double-edged sword, and many times it can cut the people who wish to stand boldly with you. So as they lay bleeding on the sidelines in shock and awe they wonder, what did I do exactly?

So many wrongs lay in the past that they absolutely cannot be made right. They can’t! Saying sorry doesn’t work, and although raising your children to think differently than perhaps your grandparents did goes a long way, it will not bring healing. Only Jesus can do that. Equality is a goal, and I see it moving forward, but sometimes I wonder if that’s what everyone really wants. Sometimes I think people don’t so much want equality. Instead they want retribution. They want payback for their pain, and I just can’t help but think that’s not the answer. 

When your anger becomes a feeling of “I have been wronged, and now I need justice by any means necessary,” there isn’t healing. There isn’t forgiveness. There isn’t a forward momentum, no matter what may be assumed. There’s only regression. There’s only hate. There’s only division. 

In my reading of God’s word I’ve found forgiveness brings healing, but I also know that isn’t easy. In instances where I have been personally wronged and rejected (and no, I’m not trying to make an exact comparison) I have found that the longer I project anger towards my enemy the longer I hurt. But when I allow God to heal my pain and show me the good people in my life I am able to go forward in joy. I also discovered I can’t change some people’s hearts no matter how mad I get, but God can take care of it. 

This is hard. Sigh. I’m not trying to say that injustice doesn’t exist, and I’m not trying to sweep it under the rug. What I am trying to do is encourage everyone to look inside your heart, pray, and ask the Lord, “do I seek equality, or do I seek retribution? Am I desiring your healing, or am I wanting an eye for an eye, and hurt for my hurt? Is that what you desire for me, or do you wish to heal this land?”

Sometimes we all can focus so much on ourselves that we lose sight of God’s bigger purposes. Where is He taking us? What does He have in mind? I don’t believe it’s division, to fall backwards, or to slay our friends who just want to try and understand our pain. 

This morning this verse came to mind. 

Philippians 2:3-4 ESV 

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

I just wonder if God might more readily be able to bring healing to our land if we can stop saying me & I? This is where I am hurt, or this is how you’re offending me. What if we could focus on how our brothers are hurting, or how our sister might need encouragement today. What if we died to self, forgave our enemies, and laid down our anger that has become like a shackle around our neck?

What if we could seek equality and justice without seeking revenge or retribution? What if instead of asking “how are you gonna make this right” we asked “what can we do to move forward in healing?” Is it time to seek forgiveness rather than searching for a needle of injustice in a haystack of life? 

The thing is if you want to seek negativity you will always find it. If you want to gather together angry voices they won’t be hard to find. What’s harder is letting go of past pain, asking for God’s restoration, and moving forward in a state of forgiveness. It’s not easy to be the bigger person, but in my experience it feels so good. 

I hope my husband is wrong. I hope we’re not falling backwards to a place where people will hate me and judge me because my skin is white. I wish my fellow man could see past my pigment to the soul that will be with me for all eternity. It has no color, only love. I wish we could see with soul eyes. Is that too much to ask?

What Bothers Me About Black Lives Matter

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I tend to sit back and watch the explosions of anger around me, not jumping in quickly to make my point, but rather taking time to pray and reflect on what might be God’s heart for an issue. It’s often easier to remain silent, not to poke the bear, or risk coming off the wrong way. But then sometimes you just have to speak what’s on your heart. Like now. 

I watch the world around me and I see something about the people in it. They’ve always been that way, but lately it seems to be a lot worse. Everyone has lots of feelings and they’re not afraid to use them. When I watch most interactions and especially loud voices in this world I see selfishness. Just being honest. I see it in the customers I serve owning a small business, and I see it with the patient population I serve as a nurse. We’re a society that says “my needs are most important.” We’re very quick to say “this is what you’ve done to me, I’m hurting, and I want retribution.”

Look, I won’t try in this post to fully be able to empathize with the plight of others. I can try, but in the end I haven’t walked in someone else’s shoes. Sure I’ve been dirt poor and reliant on government assistance. I’ve been judged wrongly for the color of my skin and where I was raised. I’ve been told I was a racist simply because I’m a Southern, white woman, and not due to any action or word from my mouth. But that’s not what this is about. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. To say I have experienced trouble or inequality would make me no better than what bothers me the most. It’s not about me, but it’s also not about you.

It isn’t Black Lives Matter. It’s not White Lives Matter. It’s not even Blue Lives Matter. It’s actually that we all think so highly of ourselves that we ALL want to matter, when in actually we don’t. Christ Matters, and that should be the driving force of every interaction we have on a day to day basis. I personally want to count it all as loss. Maybe try harder to lead folks to the cross. 

Philippians 3:8

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.

Here’s what I’m not saying. I’m not trying to lessen what the African American community has been through. I have spoken very humbly on this matter before, and I am completely willing to admit there’s such a thing as White Privilege. I will also humbly and sincerely apologize for heinous crimes I didn’t personally commit, but that my ancestors did. But I want you to understand why I apologize. I say I’m sorry because I know it grieves the Lord, and I know history wasn’t something He was in favor of befalling His people, but here’s the problem. We’re not getting any better. 
We’re ALL being selfish in one way or another, and in our wrath (and I rightfully call it wrath from things I’ve read and seen) we lose sight of Jesus while we spew our anger. It becomes about us versus them, when in all reality it should just be about Him. 

We make Jesus less and we make ourselves more. We justify our hate with pointed fingers, as if someone else’s wrong action somehow makes ours right. We shout and shout to make our own voices heard, and we miss the fact that our actions are quite absurd. We put our personal cause on a pedestal leaving no room for the cross, and we chant “make it right” without ever admitting that we are ALL wrong. 

So here’s what happens when we let our selfish, sinful natures take the driver’s seat. We don’t see clearly, we only see through a veil of rage. It’s not about bad cops, good cops, or if someone deserved to be shot. I mean, it is, and I’m not trying to downplay the very real problems this country has, but it’s also not. It’s actually about the fact that none of us deserve saving, no, not one. I don’t care what the color of your skin is or if you’re holding a gun. We all deserve death, yet Jesus came for us ALL. When we forget that it grieves His heart. 

When we decide that our own agenda trumps it all we are wrong. When we let anger become fueled by the devil to separate God’s house we are fools. When we speak hate and selfishly shout “how are you gonna make this right” I just can’t help but see Jesus, with His arms stretched out wide, sadly whisper, “I have.”

John 3:30

He must increase, but I must decrease.

Here’s my take, for whatever it is worth. I think we need to stop focusing on whose life matters and start focusing on the only single life that ever mattered. It was a life that came to earth sinless, yet died for us all. And when we scream loudly how much WE matter, perhaps our actions are suggesting He does not. Because when we place so much focus on how we have been wronged, and even more on how someone else needs to make it right, we tear apart relationships that Christ died to bring together. If that’s what “mattering” does then I want no part of it. 

I think instead I’ll carry my cross, and perhaps I’ll show the love of Jesus to those I meet along the way. After all, isn’t that what we’re here for? We’re not here to be right, be vindicated, or even be equal (although that would sure be nice). No, we’re actually here to lead folks to Jesus, and so far I’m seeing us foul that up something fierce. 

That’s what bothers me most. 

God’s Word on Black Lives Matter

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I have been distressed lately when I thumb through my Facebook newsfeed, as I’ve gathered many of my friends are too. Not only has there been tragedy on all fronts, but also violence, bigotry, and hate. There’s been propaganda, bending of the truth for one’s own agenda, and a little too much of folks speaking without thinking which never bodes well. I get the anger, I get the feelings of frustration, and I even get the need to voice the emotional outpouring that results, but I think we can all agree that sometimes it gets to be too much.

Too much rage.

Too much hate.

Too many fingers pointing.

And far too much division.

So I asked the Lord a moment ago “God, what’s your word say about all this?”

And here’s the verse that came to me.

Matthew 18:20

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

I think it’s easy to have disagreement on such hot topics and emotionally fueled debates, and it’s easy to hurt feelings without even realizing what you have done. Perhaps I’ve done it myself in the past week. But what do you suppose the Lord’s stance would be on all of this?

What would God say about Black Lives Matter?

He’d probably say, “yes, they do.”

Galatians 3:26-29 ESV

For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

He’d say, “all my children matter,” and much like the frustration I feel when my daughters won’t get along, I’m sure the Lord also lets out a big exasperated sigh.

The thing is when I say to you all lives matter it’s not a poke at the black community saying you don’t. It’s not turning a blind, privileged eye from the cruelties your ancestors received or even to the injustice you face in modern day times. As a white woman I can’t say what it’s like to be black any more than I can say what it must be like to be a man. God made me me, and I just try to live and love like I think He wants me to do.

So back to gathering together; the verse that first came to my mind. Do you think we serve God’s purposes best when we are divided on an issue, or do you think we are more powerful when we stand as one? I’m always of the mind that we aren’t fighting a flesh and blood war in the world, but rather one of principalities and darkness we cannot see. And I can only imagine Satan smiling smugly when he sees how we deal with racial divides. He’s cackling cruelly at how easily we fall into his trap. Sigh.

God’s word on all this would be love. That’s His word on everything! Plain and simple. We try to overcomplicate issues that God makes quite easy. The other morning Jesus brought something to my mind and it went like this.

Usually when our feelings get hurt we want to retaliate in anger. 

We want to get our point across!!
But God wants us to get His love across.

Again, it’s not to make light of a situation. Death of anyone is beyond hurt feelings, and this is serious business. But maybe instead of getting seriously angry we need to get seriously loving. Maybe we need to get seriously praying. Some shake their heads as if a prayerful stance is nothing, like it’s smoke and mirrors in the face of life-altering events, but I tell you that knee-business, true intercession, is the best thing you can be doing right now. Because where two or more are gathered together in mind and spirit proclaiming God’s sovereignty over all this mess then huge walls are being broken down in the spiritual realm.
We don’t need to be protesting. We need to be falling on our faces in humbled petition for God to heal our land. We don’t need to be rioting and killing police, we need to be joining together as God’s people, no matter our color of skin. The only windows that need busted out are figuratively speaking when we pack God’s house out to maximum capacity with folks praising the Lord that He loves us all so much that He sent Jesus to die for our sins.

If that piece of history doesn’t convince you that your life matters then no amount of picket signs or rambling Facebook posts ever will. You shouldn’t have to protest that your life matters; just open up to the New Testmant and thank Jesus that it does.

I’m sorry humans are real dirtbags sometimes. Often times. I apologize that this world is full of injustice, sin, and general wrongdoing. It isn’t fair. It isn’t right. And although I haven’t walked in everyone’s particular shoes, as a Christ follower I know He told me in His word it wouldn’t be fair.

But He also said this, praise the Lord. He said that one day, in eternity, there would be no pain when we stood with Him by the Father. If we can just make it until then, and love one another then our example of how God unifies His children may bring others to know Christ. Glory! That’s what I want more than anything, y’all, and so should you.

Who’s right and who’s wrong about racial tension won’t matter on judgement day. What will matter most is believing He died for you, that He died for your neighbor, that you treated all mankind with love, and brought most of them to Heaven with you.

Racial injustice isn’t what God wants, and I am so grateful we are evolving and changing for the better on this subject. We’ve got a long way to go, but we have come so far. We do need to keep going for equality, but we can’t do that at the cost of God’s calling on ALL OUR LIVES. We are all called to carry ourselves in love. That’s easy to forget and hard to do, but it’s God’s word on any subject.

So put down your anger. Put down your need to be right and be heard. Jesus hears you. Let’s join together instead in Christ name and be a light for the rest of the world to see.


Why I Don’t Think This World Has Gone to Hell in a Handbasket

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Everywhere I look today I see despair. On every friend’s Facebook page I see either anger or sadness.

Black Lives Matter.

White Lives Matter.

All Lives Matter.

We’re Doomed.

I fear for my children.

I hate to bring my children up in this world.

Aghhh.

Stop. Breathe. Cry out to Jesus, not Facebook.

I am in no way trying to minimize what is going on in our country right now. Lives, precious lives, be it that of a young black man, or that of brave police officers; lives have been taken unfairly and too soon. There’s no debate there. It grieves my soul, and it causes me to fall on my knees in prayerful petition. But I do not fall on them in despair.

I do not fall on them in fear.

My God is bigger than that.

He is bigger than terrorism. He is bigger than presidential candidates. Even ones who seem above the law.

Does that mean I fall over in surrender like some fainting goat?!
Heck no. I’m digging in my heels, not burying my head in the sand. I’m going to vote, and I’m praying hard. This country is not where I wish it to be, but I’m not giving up on her yet.

What I see a lot when bad things happen in our midst is a spirit of defeat and fear. Don’t fall for it! Don’t let Satan use you to further the idea that the situation is hopeless. The fact is if you believe in God’s word then you believe in hope at ALL times. Not just when Reagan is in office or when peace reigns.

There are some Biblical truths we are missing today, and it would benefit us, each and every one, to take them to heart. Hold them close, draw strength from them, renew our faith so that we may battle the REAL enemy we face here. It’s not flesh and blood you know.

1 Peter 5:7 NLT

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Romans 15:13 ESV 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Isaiah 40:31 ESV 

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Don’t misunderstand me here, dear brothers and sisters. I am not saying bury your head in the sand, nor am I saying wring your hands in your lap while whispering, God’s got this. Indeed I’m saying quite the opposite. I want you to stand up with your eyes open. I want you to speak for truth. I want you to put on the armor of God, get a firm position with the sword of the spirit and the shield of faith. I want you to love your brother, love your enemy, and love your country. I want you to see the evil that abounds, BUT do not become consumed by it. Do not let fear surround you and make you think we have lost this battle.

The initial battle begins in the mind and spirit, and if you are allowing yourself to be consumed with fear and despair you’re not fulfilling your God-given ability to stand firm for justice and truth.

We’re not doomed, our country is NOT going to hell in a handbasket, and this is still a great place to thrive and raise your children. When fear and despair tell you the future is hopeless you need to fight back with God’s truth.

Proverbs 23:18 ESV 

Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

My God is bigger than racism. He is bigger than hate. He rules above any political party, and faith wins every time.

Perhaps I sound like a blithering, Bible-thumper to you, but I tell you this, I do not sound afraid. I have not succumbed to hopelessness and despair. I am victorious through Jesus Christ.

So where does that put me in all this going on around me? I’m not blind to it. I am saddened. It breaks my heart to see division in God’s house. I am grieving the loss in Dallas and Louisiana too. My soul cries out to Jesus for His intervention, and I am mindful of my words and actions towards those who are hurting. I’m praying hard, I’m speaking truth, but I am also believing that we have a future. I have to. The God of hope commands it.

I get it, I do, and I’ve felt that same despair. That’s only human. But don’t let it rule your heart. All I’m saying is this. Please don’t despair, my friends. Don’t fall into hopelessness. Grieve, yes. With open eyes speak truth, but don’t speak hate out of anguish. Let faith and hope abound. Be a light to those around you. Love your enemies, comfort those who mourn, and stand firm in expectation of God’s sovereign hand.

Job 14:7-9 ESV

For there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease. Though its root grow old in the earth, and its stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put out branches like a young plant.