The Helpers Reveal How God Cares For God’s People

by Eric Elkin

“Blessed Are The Peacemaker”

— Matthew 5:9

Sunday evening Peg and I watched in horror as a semi-truck drove into a crowd of protestors. For a fleeting moment, I could begin to grasp the feeling of those who stood on the sidewalk of Cup Foods on Memorial Day evening. The feeling is one of being helpless as something tragic is about to happen. It was only fleeting emotion because I could turn the channel and walk away.

When the crowd stopped the semi-truck, protestors pulled the driver from the cab. A mob descended upon the man, and a scrum ensued. My mind jumped to an earlier Spring injustice riot. I thought to myself, "Oh no, here we go again." In 1992, Reginald Denny was pulled from his truck and nearly beaten to death in the early stages of the Los Angeles riot. Again, I have the option to look away, but I could not.

Something amazing happened on I-35 Sunday night. Some angry protestors kicked and punched the driver. However, more protestors pulled those hitting the driver away from the man. They held them and would not let them continue to beat. A protective ring formed around the man. The group exercised self-control, and the truck driver is probably alive today because of it.

The first police officer I saw arrive no the scene was a woman. Her patrol car pulled into the crowd, she jumped out and started moving people away. At that moment, she had no concern for her own physical safety. She was outnumbered almost 12,000 to 1. She was joined by other officers, but the ratio of police officers to protestors was still overwhelming. The crowd did not confront the officers. They walked away.

I searched for a video of the police intervention to confirm my memory of the event. There was nothing to be found. It may exist somewhere, but I could not find it. However, there were several videos of the truck barreling into the crowd. It confirmed what I always say, we see what we want to see. For some bizarre reason, the average person is more drawn to shocking images than peaceful ones.

“As I have said, the first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself... Great peacemakers are all people of integrity, of honesty, but humility.”

— Nelson Mandela

Sunday morning, a member of my congregation sent me an email. I did not see it until Sunday evening. She shared her experiences of driving through the areas of Minneapolis burned by the acts of unrest. For many years, that area of South Minneapolis was her home. She went there to feed police officers, national guard soldiers, strangers passing by, and anyone in need of food. What she encountered was a community overflowing with love.

Then she shared something frustrating to me. She told me she loved Mr. Rogers. I have been quite clear about my dislike for Mr. Rogers. He was too tender, soft, and passive for my tastes. The member told me how

Mr. Rogers always said to "look for the helpers." It was an incredible coincidence. Three weeks earlier, my daughter told me the one lesson she remembers the most from Mr. Rogers was to always "look for the helpers." If you do, you will find hope.

Damn you, Mr. Rogers, once again, you have shone a light on my ignorance. In many ways, Mr. Rogers's values reflect what is supposed to be the mission of the Christian Church. Some will cheer President Trump holding up a Bible and praise his speech about dominating the very people he was elected to serve and protect. They will hear his words as strength. Conversely, some will listen, "blessed are the peacemakers" and think them weak, as I once did. The truth is the opposite.

Yesterday, the evening news showed several videos of police officers changing their tactics. Instead of controlling and dominating the protestors, they spoke to them and listened. Some officers even kneeled to show their respect for George Floyd. The demonstrators were ecstatic by the acts of kindness and responded accordingly.

If you are feeling angry, frustrated, or hopeless today, look for the helpers. They will show you the strength of the human community. Their acts will reveal the way God cares for and comforts God's own people. Then, slowly and steadily, you will discover hope and the joy of being a peacemaker.

Click to read Matthew 5: 1-12