Our country is reeling right now. As if the global pandemic wasn’t challenging enough, the senseless murder of George Floyd has turned our country upside down. So how are we, as followers of Jesus, supposed to respond?
First, it’s totally appropriate to be angry. Scripture confirms in Psalm 4:4 and Ephesians 4:26 that there are times when all of us become angry. Jesus Himself was angry at the money changers in the temple—an anger that could only be described as “righteous.”
Anger is only constructive, though, when it motivates us to focus on a specific problem and offer a solution. That’s what those of us involved with Forward Edge have been doing for decades. Outraged by the injustice of a billion children trapped in extreme poverty—children who in some cases are sold into prostitution or domestic slavery by their own parents—we’re motivated to do something about it. Outrage alone would have been understandable and appropriate. But would it have been enough?
In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, those of us who follow Jesus need to let our anger motivate us toward constructive action. It might be personal expressions of love and solidarity with our African-American friends, along with a willingness to listen and learn. It might be fervent prayer that God would give our nation’s leaders the wisdom and courage to implement reforms that purge injustice. Or it might be repenting of the pride, insensitivity, and prejudice in our own hearts.
Crises are always opportunities for something good. Right now, each of us needs to ask and respond to the question: What good is God calling me to do today?
If there’s one thing the Covid-19 pandemic has made abundantly clear it’s that none of us are fully in control of our lives. What we can control, though, are our choices. And those choices ultimately determine the story of our lives. Several years ago, I coined a word that conveys
by Joseph Anfuso A well-known 19th-century philosopher once said: “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” So, what does that mean? It means that someone who’s found a purpose in life—a “why” to live for—can overcome any obstacle in his or her path. It means
Almost 20 years ago now, I was circling the 60-foot maple tree that stands just yards from my front door, talking to my Heavenly Father. Forward Edge needed to upgrade the training we provided for our short-term mission teams, and I was asking God for guidance. In a matter of
by Joseph Anfuso I had no idea in the spring of 1980 that a two-day trip to Nicaragua would not only change the trajectory of my life, but cause me to reimagine Jesus’ commission in Mark 16:15: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” At
19 yrs. old
Entered the program: June 2023
Florence lives with her mother and three siblings in a four-bedroomed house with its own bathroom. They use charcoal to cook and boil water for drinking. Water is fetched from a spring near their home. Florence’s mother owns a small salon and works as a hairdresser to support the family. During school holidays, Florence and her twin sister help their mother out at work.
