We Still Know the Reason

Today I wanted to write about a powerful testimony from a young Apache activist working to protect the sacred land of her tribe. I wanted to share her words with you because her call to action resonated with a piece of the purpose statement our Visioning Team presented at our annual meeting. But that reflection will have to wait because once again we find ourselves reeling from yet another horrendous act of violence.

Last week I reflected on how we knew the motive behind the shooting in Buffalo. The murderer was very clear that this was a racially motivated act of terror. But the other reason this keeps happening, is the accessibility and proliferation of guns.

My heart is broken for the parents that will never again get to hold their children and for the family members of the teachers who will never get to hug their loved one again. But stronger than my sorrow is my anger at the handful of lawmakers who keep making excuses for why they refuse to do anything to staunch the proliferation of gun violence—a handful of senators that are holding hostage the 90% of the country that are in favor of stricter gun control laws. By doing nothing, they’re essentially saying the ongoing loss of innocent lives is the price they’re willing to pay for their corrupt definition of freedom.

Many of these lawmakers that refuse to do anything about gun violence are the same ones that are writing and signing bills stripping women of the right to access essential medical services. These same lawmakers that have cut school funding and taken away teachers’ agency to best educate their students, want to arm teachers and put more guns in schools. They want to do everything but what makes sense and what the majority of Americans support.

It’s easy to feel helpless and frustrated, but you have a voice. The NRA isn’t one of the most powerful lobbies because it has the deepest pockets. No, when the NRA turned away from focusing on gun safety to lobbying for ‘gun rights,’ it intentionally focused on mobilizing people to raise their voices and make a scene. They are a small minority that have excelled at raising their voices. Raising our voices in opposition isn’t so much about yelling over them because if all of us spoke up, we wouldn’t have to speak very loud to be heard.

So beloved of God, even as you continue to cry out to God, also cry out to those who have the power to change the law. Every call and note sent to a representative and senator is recorded. Finding the name, number, or address of your legislators is easy. Let them hear your voice. Cry out for the children. Cry out for the families torn apart. Lift your voices for the ones who can no longer cry out. We can do better. We can be better if we choose to turn away from violence. May God help us be powerful people of peace.

In Love
Pastor Annette