MINOR: Preservation and purpose

OPINION:

We all have a God-given purpose in this journey called life. While our purpose may vary and differ in ways, there is one commonality amongst us: to make our world a better place.

Whether it’s serving in the armed forces, the clergy, law enforcement or in the halls of Congress, we all have a moral duty to serve our country in some capacity.

One of the main problems in our society today is that service has been substituted for selfishness. The generation that follows us will reap the consequences of immeasurable debt accumulated by our government. College graduates are finding themselves living in their parents’ homes because they’re unable to find work in their career field. Politicians are finding it easy to casually raise the debt ceiling and partake in reckless spending without heeding the needs of their constituents. Blatant and baseless cries of racism and hatred have placed our nation in a quandary when it comes to race relations.

All of these crises are a result of selfishness. While it is human nature to place blame on someone else, it’s more productive to someone to take a stand.

The recent events that have occurred in Ferguson, Missouri have caused the moral compass in our country to go in reverse. Various arrests, demonstrations, riots and clashes with law enforcement and a grieving community have captured the headlines and inserted themselves as the dominating story in our news cycles.

The call for justice synced with baseless charges of racism tells me that my country still needs healing. Many can quote the words of the slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr, but only a select few are willing to embrace his lifestyle.

I am seeing many fail to call for personal responsibility and accountability. If they did, they may be preventing another Ferguson incident from occurring.

While emotions and tensions are definitely high, would it be more useful if churches and civic leaders called for obedience of the laws and the respect of law enforcement?

Social and cultural issues lie at the doorstep of churches and communities, but it still requires civility. Protesting, with the exception of peaceful expression, only leads to more loss and unrest.

The forgotten reality is that a life was lost. Michael Brown’s loss was tragic indeed. But whether it’s a white man or black man that is the recipient of death’s visit, it’s a sober reminder that faith can comfort and heal. We will do the Brown family an injustice with a retaliation of evil. All that does is spread the wound of pain a little deeper.

The community of Ferguson is looking for real faith—faith that collaborates with a desire to bring healing to a chaotic and disturbed society. That can only come with those who are willing to follow the principles of faith—love and kindness—and not just merely talk about it.

This faith can come from millennials. Our nation is depending upon us to take a stand for morality and righteousness in a day that is filled with darkness and peril.

I remember when I was called into the ministry and my initial entry into the political arena. I experienced backlash and resentment for my conservative values. I was exposed to situations that made me uncomfortable and required sole dependence on Almighty God. But I also realized that in every adventure there are hurdles and obstacles, but there’s also forgiveness and grace.

I call upon millennials to be the voice of reason our nation so desperately needs. While the ones who went before us have carried the torch of liberty for so long, we must embrace the reality that they will not always be with us. If our nation is to be rescued from greed and selfishness, it will take the millennial generation to understand that hard work and perseverance, not entitlement, is the antidote for our nation’s pains.

This is OUR call to action. It’s a plea for a renaissance of faith. After all, it was faith and morality that served as the cornerstone of America’s heritage.

Demetrius Minor is a member of the national advisory council of the Project 21 black leadership network, serves as a pastoral assistant at Calvary New Life Tabernacle in Atlanta, GA, is a former White House intern in the Bush administration, and the author of the forthcoming book “Preservation and Purpose.”