What I Learned From Brandt Jean

I purposely avoided the case regarding Botham Jean. I wanted to be free from the emotions that I knew would come. I didn't want my mind clouded by what others had to say. Yes another unarmed African American had been murdered. Yes he was a member of the Church of Christ. But I did not want to be controlled by the posts of other folks. I did a good job too! I dodged questions and comments about the case but someone sent me a text that she was found guilty. Shock overcame me! It was the same feeling that I felt when Obama won the election. I was too scared to feel good about it. I, being pessimistic, knew that something was going to go wrong. And wouldn't you know it the next day when faced with 5-99 years she was given 10! Fear mixed with rage grew and I thought of the history of people like me in this country whose lives were meaningless. I remembered that people like me we're ⅗ of a person. I began to wonder how much were the lives of African Americans worth. I knew the “get over it” posts were coming. I knew that some friends wouldn’t understand because they don’t understand how it feels to be a minority. I remembered Sandra Bland, Eric Garner, and Trayvon Martin. And I realized that my kids and ancestors will probably never truly be equal in a land they were brought into. I remembered all of these things until a video reminded me of what I had forgotten.

What I see here is a miracle. I see creation obeying the creator. I see Brandt Jean, the brother of Botham, being used to display Good News. I had just preached Sunday that forgiveness is the letting go of an offense so that a loving relationship could be reestablished.  In my foggy mind I could not imagine that murder would be one of those things that people forgave, until I remembered the part that I played in Jesus'. If that young man can let go and not hold a grudge against Amber Guyger then surely I can. Surely I can understand that what has happened in the past to people who look like me should be forgiven. But not for my sake, African Americans, or America. It must be done for the Gospel. That's the job of a Christian to spread the good news to all people. I truly believe that he brought alive the great commission and made disciples today. Somewhere someone believed that Jesus is the Christ based on his actions. And that is a start. Lord help me where I lack and to always put YOUR will before my own. 

Ashamed but enlightened and forgiven,

Bro. C.W. Stephens