By The Rev. Tim Surratt, Christ the King, Grace Waccamaw, Pawleys Island, SCWhen Jesus’ name is proclaimed in any circumstance (see Psalm 107) – you can’t contain it and you can’t refute it. “Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!”
The media had no choice but to show the incredible display of grace, forgiveness, and even the hope-through-their-pain that the perpetrator would know Jesus, freely expressed by the families of the victims and the members of Emanuel AME. Oh, that we could all attain such depth of love for Jesus and others, and let us let Him change us into such people! And how irresistible the Church becomes when His name is proclaimed louder than the name of the evil ones or the politicians or the issues or even, in some ways, the victims. And that’s what the members of that Church did!
Charleston is an example to the world of a way to bring unity from tragedy - but it’s not a social attitude that caused this. It’s Jesus. We should savor this time, even though it hurts.
I had the honor of attending the “Bridge to Peace” event in Charleston June 21. The 15,000-person crowd was indescribable, stretching across the Cooper River and beyond. The attitude and the spirit were awesome. The most reverent, spiritual, and powerful moments were led by the African Americans standing near us.
We enjoyed spontaneous prayers and hymns, free hugs, words of love among strangers, and a common sense of order and respect that deserved more national attention than it received. There were no flak vests or automatic weapons, no tear gas, helmets, nor posters of hate. No screams, jeers, arrests or handcuffs. Instead we experienced silence, prayers, hymns, memories of the lost.
The Holy Spirit was moving over the crowd. I couldn’t help but think about the day of Pentecost - many peoples of many ages, races, political views, and backgrounds seem to all hear the message of the Holy Spirit in their own language as we joined hands and sought God. I hope and pray that the Lord added thousands to the numbers of His Kingdom that day.
