Month: July 2016

As part of the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne, many of us feel deeply compelled to “do something” about the youth violence and gangs in our city.

As a Christian nonprofit organization, we get to draw on the example and teachings of Christ Jesus to inform our attempt to “do something.”

Out of all the options out there, a unique action of Jesus’ followers is to absorb violence when it strikes them and their community. 

I write this as a white Protestant evangelical middle aged man. I wonder what it would look like for me to absorb violence, instead of striking back or nursing revenge? Or my neighborhood? Or my church? Or my workplace downtown? 

Whether it’s hateful words, hurtful actions, or harmful policies, would I let myself be infected with the poison of violence or would I absorb it in a spirit of grace and forgiveness? Too often I’m infected…

I am commanded to love my enemy, as seen in Jesus. My Lord modeled in his ministry and on the cross how to absorb violence. His words and ways, his attitude and actions reveal how hearts are transformed, how cities are saved. 

That Jerusalem rejected Jesus’s ways and embraced violent revolt against Rome ensured their demise. The Christians that respond to violent words, attitudes and habits with anger and vengeance are rejecting the way of Christ. Would I be willing to let others point out the ways I respond to violence with violence? 

To forgive is to absorb the wrong and not wish for or take revenge. 

It might also mean you distance yourself from them, or use more wisdom when encountering them, but it doesn’t mean hating or fearing them or treating them with apathy. 

That’s the new way Jesus gives us towards those who are violent. Not only that, he explains how to live and pray to subvert violence and plant healing seeds of renewal. 

Read the Gospel of Matthew 4-7. “Blessed are the peacemakers.” 

That is part of what it means for Jesusians to “do something” about youth violence. As followers of Jesus Christ we look to him and seek to imitate his attitude towards the Father and all humanity. Together, we can “do something” that absorbs violence and breathes out wisdom and mercy.

This is why I am thrilled by this YMCA neighborhood event at Renaissance Pointe. It embodies the “do something” attitude of peacemaking. Join it Saturday, if you can!

In the spirit of always needing to be reminded of the essentials, here are a few takeaways from the 2016 General Assembly of YMCAs sessions so far:

Compassion heals.

Kindness transforms.

Hope matters. 

Children desperately need affection and touch in their first 1000 days. It shapes the rest of their life.

Do for one what you can’t do for all.

Be smart, use wisdom, don’t go with your gut when helping others. Often times our help hurts. 

You can’t know what difference you will make by investing time and energy into others. Do it anyways.

Jesus models what love of neighbor looks like, especially in “Do unto others what you would have them do unto you.”

Generations as population groups ought to be closely paid attention to, if you are to understand future trends in religion, politics, economics, and war. They also matter for why your organization exists and what it is needed to do.

Social media is a tool that can bless and curse. At its best it connects people and expands your horizons; at its worst it undermines your presence with the people closest to you, and it reinforces your bigotry and fears.

Opportunity comes from preparation and readiness; we can know much about the future by deeply understanding the past. Humility, presence, and curiosity make it more likely you will be open to lessons of the past and readiness for the future.

* Thanks to leaders like Sheryl WuDunn and Nicholas Kristoff, Randi Zuckerberg, Seth Mattison, Allison Massari, Ken Gronbach for the reminders.