#Justice4Trayvon

“Though I cry, ‘Violence!’ I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice." ~ Job 19:7

Over the last few weeks, the tragedy of the Trayvon Martin case has struck me deeply. No matter how hard I try, I cannot reconcile the case in my mind. As an African American, I hurt for the family's loss. As a man, I am angered by the wholesale lack of justice that Trayvon and his family has received. As a young black man, I am frustrated that despite being 50 years after Dr. King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech, I am still not judged based on the content of my character, but merely by the color of my skin. Lastly, as a father, I fear for my 5-month old son.

See, Trayvon could be Jeremiah in 18 years. As a Christian, I have faith that God will keep my son safe. But it's tough when society places so little value on people who look like we do. I know that my son will, one day, grow up to look like his daddy, to look like Trayvon, to look like Troy Davis, Sean Bell, and Amadou Diallo. I just pray that by the time he does, society has changed.

Peace and love to the Martin family. And to all those who continue to harbor hatred, jealousy, and prejudice in your heart, I pray that God enlightens your path and allows you to see the world the way He does. All life is precious. Including yours. It’s sad that you can’t see that.

God bless,
J.W.

P.S. Please check out this PSA my friend put together for Trayvon and share with your friends and family: http://youtu.be/nN_H9Gs5QO8.

Stop and Go(d)

So many times, as Christians, we hear the phrase "let go and let God." But what does that phrase really mean?

It means trusting God enough to rely on His plan and not our own. It means doing what He tells us to do even when it doesn't make sense. It means getting out of the way so that God can step in on our behalf.

As you live your life, remember: God can't move in your life until you stop moving on your own behalf.

God bless,
J.W.

If I Die Young

"They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed." ~ Acts 28:10

Today is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and, unfortunately, too many of us look at it as just another day off. I know I have in the past and I can't lie - having this day off from law school is quite satisfying.

But Dr. King was about service, about helping others, and about putting his words into action. That what's we should be doing in his honor. If we say we love God, then we should follow his commandments.

Too often, we complain about our lot in life as if we are the only ones who went through it. But remember this: Dr. King went through it too, but he still made it his duty to go out and help someone else. We should follow in his footsteps!

God bless,
J.W.

Follow Your Heart

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” ~ Psalm 37:4

A friend of mine has a saying – “Do what you love and love what you do.”

God never said we were meant to live mediocre lives, in a profession that we hate, living a life that we can’t stand. Many people just settle for that kind of life.

Rather, God wants us to live life to the fullest. So, ignore those voices in your head (or in your family) telling you to live the safe, boring life. Take a risk and go for the gold. It’s what God thinks you deserve.

God bless,
J.W.

No Fear

"Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." ~ Revelation 2:20

As Christians, fear is our biggest enemy. It’s Satan’s way of stopping us from achieving the great things God has called us to do. For some of us, that means touching millions of lives. For others, that means touching just one life.

Either way, don’t let fear stagnate you! People’s lives are dependent on it. There is a crown of life waiting for you on the other side. But you have to press through the fear and the test.

God bless,
J.W.

Faith At Work

"So Jesus answered and said to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.'" ~ Matthew 21:21

Last weekend, I saw the power of faith at work first hand.

During the delivery of my son, my wife was in labor for just over 20 hours. Things were going well until the pain started getting too intense for her. Her contractions were coming rapidly, but weren’t strong enough to push our 8 pounds, 11 ounce baby down the birth canal. The doctors were sure that they would have to do a C-section.

Then, faith stepped in. I texted my family and they started praying. They sent the word out to other family and friends, and they started praying too. After just under an hour, we got word back from the doctor that despite her certainty that Michele would have to undergo a C-section, her contractions were now strong enough to deliver naturally. The doctor said she couldn’t even explain it.

If that’s not God at work, I don’t know what is.

God bless,
J.W.

True Success (Part II)

"And Jesus answered and said to her, 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.'” Luke 10:41-42

In a society that's so focused on accumulating money, fame, and material things, it’s hard to measure success by any other means. However, my newborn son has convinced me.

When I die, I don’t want to be judged by how many houses I own, how many cars I purchased, or how many yachts I've rode on. I want to be judged by whether I led my household effectively, by how I raised my son, and by whether I made an impression on the generation to come.

That’s the measure of true success. That's the one, good part that will never be taken away.

God bless,
J.W.