Our nation was hit by triple tragedies last week. In Baton Rouge, Louisiana and St. Paul Minnesota, two African-American men were killed in officer involved shootings. As our country tried to wrap our national but often divided mindset around their deaths, we heard the horrific gasp of not again from Dallas,Texas.

On duty police officers were ambushed by a man brimming with anger and bent on retaliation. The aftermath of these events leaves us grieving over the lives lost and grappling with the truth: Our mosaic has grown more fragile.

As we attempt to comfort the loved ones of the fallen and our communities seek to understand, I PRAY respect and compassion doesn’t end where our differences begin.

In fragile times like these, it’s easy to gravitate towards perspectives that vent our concerns and comfort our fears. 

But if our perspectives make us grow more divisive, no one wins. Our reactions are more easily received when we gather in sympathetic circles. And yet, to change the overall narrative, we need a change of heart.

Sadly, the world may see faith as a fairy tale when the guardians of our society and its citizens lay dead in the streets. I PRAY faith walkers will show them a different story.

Without the peace and power of knowing Christ, fragile would label my existence. With my eyes still moist from graphic news clips, I see how grief, anger, fear and hate could shatter our society into pieces.

But I also see who helps us and holds us together.

“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God…He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.” –Colossians 3:15-17 NLT

I continue to cherish His hold on me because…

In fragile times like these, we can grow desperate for answers even when they remain absent.

What actions are justified? What went too far? What’s next?

It’s hard to see eye to eye until we see eye to Eye.

“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” – 2 Chronicles 16:9 NLT

When I keep my eyes on the Lord, my heart sees from His perspective. As I embrace His will, I signal my commitment to Him. But we’re more than a blip on His divine radar, we’re His children and He strengthens us in time of need.

And yet, the challenge continues. How do we shape our collective identity while carrying generational baggage of social injustice and distrust?

The identity Christ offers takes us beyond race or ethnicity. His redemptive mindset exposes the stereotypes that cloud our choices for friendship, worship or in the marketplace. I PRAY we will make redemptive choices instead of fearful ones because…

Even fragile times like these are subject to the faithfulness of God.

As you read this post, I hope you’ll feel something sharper than divisiveness and something greater than indifference. I PRAY we’ll each realize where we stand in the racial divide. Some enthusiastically stand with the love of family and friends of a different hue. Others distance themselves from any prospect of connection to people of another color.

Regardless of which part of the racial divide we inhabit, a person’s value is not found in what’s skin-deep; it is seen in the price Christ paid for our sins.

So in these fragile times, I’m seeking Him about my part in His plan. I hope you’ll seek Him about your part too.  Prayer is a powerful posture. But once we get up from our knees, our actions reveal what we stand for.

If we’re hurting, our faithful God will comfort us.
(Isaiah 19:13)

If we’re fearful, our faithful God will embolden us.
(Psalm 27:1-3)

If we’re confused, our faithful God will enlighten us.
(Psalm 119:168-170)

If we’re willing, our faithful God will use us to help others.
(1 Peter 5:10-11)

No matter how fragile we are, His faithfulness can infuse the harshest reality.  It’s the reason we can always have hope for the heart and joy to the soul.