Since birth, you may have received affirmations that you were being heard, engaged, or understood.  These affirmations could come through sounds that signaled that love was there or help was on the way.

For example, “shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh….” somehow made us stop, refocus, and think.

As we matured, the same noise became offensive or signaled the drop of a commonly used curse word.  Most people dislike the feeling of being silenced or overlooked, but can silence be used in a positive way?

Silence can provoke thought, and it can lead to a time of much needed reflection.  In today’s environment, a silent action could be boycotting organizations that don’t align with personal or family values. This silence would be intended to stimulate thought or bring about change.

There is a story from the Bible that I’m reminded of in John 8.  Jesus was approached in the temple courts by teachers and upholders of the law.  They asked him to pass judgment on a woman who was clearly guilty.  They were ready to deliver justice through taking her life.

When they asked Jesus what he thought his response was silence…. not a knee in her neck.

In fact, he bent down (possibly kneeling) and began to write on the ground with his finger.  He continued in silence while they continued to question him.  He finally straightened up to say, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to cast a stone at her.”

He then stooped back down, (possibly kneeling) and continued writing on the ground until they all left.

Through silence and a brief period of reflection, the teachers and upholders of the law realized that they were not blameless enough to serve justice through death.

Listen | Learn | Take Action
Regardless of your family values or belief system you live on the same physical earth / ground as about 7.8 Billion people.  The United States accounts for about 330 Million people.  There is a high chance that you will meet several people whose experiences and opinions are different from yours.

Can you find ways to listen? Think about how and why people take action to support equality and social justice, and then consider where you can help move progress forward.

One action could be making a commitment to kneel in silence if you are witnessing police brutality. After the upholders of the law have a moment of reflection we can ask, “Are you blameless?”

George Floyd mattered.  Black Lives Matter.  How can you be a part of writing this down on the common ground of equality and social justice?