When I woke up this morning, I had no word to describe the treatment the Haitians are receiving at the Mexican/US border. There is no one word that can describe or express the pain and different emotions we develop as we watch our Haitian brothers and sisters treated like dirt. We watch and listen in disbelief as our government ignore the inexcusable behavior of the border patrols, but even greater concern is for the lack of attention given to these human beings. Maybe I am missing something, but there has not been an outcry from any American leader or group of people defending or supporting Haitians. Where are the black voices? Painfully and shamefully, we must admit, there are none. Have we also reached a point that if there is no pay day awaiting us, or a spotlight ready to shine on us, we casually ignore the problem and keep it moving?

Where are the demonstrators and marchers who would normally take to the streets in defiance of what is happening before our own eyes? Have we developed an attitude that, “nothing is going to change?” Where are the news reporters, MSNBC, CNN, etc. who are always thirsty for a glamorous negative story? Where is the Church that has become mum regarding injustices? Have we become a people who have become numb when it comes to the mistreatment of others, be it black, white, red, yellow, etc. Have we become blind to unprecedented bad behaviors?

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people” (2 Timothy 3:1-5) I asked God to please give me something to help understand all this craziness and this is the scripture that came into my spirit.

An insurrection took place on Capitol Hill, and some of those who were present during the attack are claiming it did not happen. Am I losing my mind or have we reached a point when we are only interested in self? The withdrawal of troops and the evacuation of Afghan people was botched to the point that many were left behind in the hands of the Taliban. Have we become tolerant and accepting the belief that anything goes?

When I watched a short video of how the border patrols were treating the Haitians, I watched in disbelief. When a cowboy goes out to herd cattle, he dresses for the occasion. These cowboy border patrols were dressed on horseback for herding cattle, but there were no cattle so they substituted the Haitians as their cows. To watch these border patrols on horseback, use their reins as a whip to hit the people was devastating and inhumane. Yet, to most of us, it was just another day at work or play. What good is it to have black leaders in key positions, and they remain silent and hidden?    

Yes, it is true that these are signs of the End Times, but we have heard about the End Time since the beginning of time and that is not an answer or solution to the problem. We can pack up a few boxes of our used clothes and send them to Haiti, for it will make us feel like we are doing something good, but we must do more. I know there are some people who believe all we need to do is pray. Well, I don’t buy into that. I believe we must pray, but there has to be some action behind the prayers. God has given us free will, and we are using it to demean and mistreat human beings who look like us. Let us not forget who we are and where we came from. Let us not forget we are Christians who God expects to look out for the economically impoverished.

I must confess that I have asked God for forgiveness for some of the thoughts I was having regarding all of this craziness. I, just for a little while, had the same attitude of James and John in Luke 9:54. Just as Jesus rebuked the disciples; I felt the same rebuke. Read it for yourself.

Even when we look at the life of Jesus, we see instances when he was treated with hatred and hostility even by the Pharisees and scribes. One of the reasons they hated Him was because they, Pharisees and Sadducees, feared losing their power and authority.

I surmise that a lot of folks in high positions are afraid of losing their power and authority because of so many migrants entering the USA. Haitians have always gotten a bad break. How can they be sent back to a country that has been ravaged by an earthquake?

Do something, maybe write your congress person.

Not a sermon, just my thoughts!

Robert Earl Slade, Pastor