Many if us have felt righteous indignation over the recent events in Ferguson, MO. Some of us have felt a variety of emotions over the refusal of the grand jury to indict the police officer who shot and killed the unarmed teenager. And some of us have felt those same emotions over the violence and looting that followed the verdict. No matter which camp you are in whether pro police or anti police, pro violence, or anti violence, the question is the same: How do I live out my faith in response to the Ferguson situation? Our text reminds us that we have a tendency to see a need and make some well-meaning statement and pray. But that is only a part of what we are called to do. We are called to see the need and meet it.
As we gather around our Thanksgiving table today, many of us will give thanks to God for all of His bountiful blessings in our lives. But we also need to remember those situations which stir our emotions and make us wonder what the world is coming to. But before we shake our heads and simply bemoan the situation, let's be reminded - faith without works is dead.
If we are really men and women of faith, it's time to put our faith in action. Take those emotions, the anger, hurt, sadness, pain, and fear, and turn them into positive actions. Participate in peaceful protests, write letters to your government representatives, or consider economic sanctions. But more than that, we have to teach our young men and women our history and let them know that the struggle is not over. We must teach them the nonviolent methods that worked in the past and let our young people teach us how to use our 21st century technology to make those strategies even more effective. Volunteer to teach and mentor our young people valuable strategies to keep them safe: what to do, what to say, and how to act when confronted in a dangerous situation.
Above all, we need to continue to pray - pray for our young men and women, our families, our communities, and our leaders. When we really exercise our faith we can make a difference and change the culture of our society. It's time to put our faith in action. Change one life at a time and change the world.