Manager’s Memo 6-1-20

Forgive me, but this a long one. There is no easy way to say all that is on my heart. I have been wrestling with this for several days now. And Paul’s counsel in Ephesians is why.  “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” I learned long ago that words have power; power to build up or power to tear down.  I think we have had way too much tearing down the past few days. I pray my words will build up and benefit those who will listen.

As a professor, I have spent a decade with university students as they wrestle with new and challenging ideas and concepts. It’s difficult work to learn something new, to give up on preconceived ideas and beliefs when you are presented with new information.  The hardest part is discovering it applies to both teacher and student.

This Spring, the killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and most recently, George Floyd have brought fresh evidence of the roots of racism that persist in America.  As a disciple of the Carpenter, I can not be silent when those He called my brothers and sisters are suffering. The professor in me wants to talk about facts and data, but that is head knowledge, and frankly beside the point, since I believe this is an issue of our hearts.  And when it comes to heart issues, I believe there is only one source of true information. The Carpenter and His Father.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did do for one of the least of these, you do for me.”

And finally the words that have guided my last ten years at the Journey, Micah 6:8.  “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

My prayer just about every day for the past ten years has been for a humble spirit that demonstrates mercy and seeks justice for all. My prayer today is for a new heart, for His church to rise up to show mercy to ALL people and seek justice for ALL people, not just those who wear the same shade of skin pigment. We are ALL God’s children. God help us if nothing changes from all we have been through this year.

For 88.3 The Journey, I’m a heart broken General Manager Mike Agee.