Reflections (why?)

Recently I finished reading a book, 42 Faith.  There have been many books written about Jackie Robinson and him being the first African American to play major league baseball.  I would consider 42 Faith, not just another one.  This book highlights the uniqueness of Jackie Robinson's faith in God.  When called upon to be a barrier breaker, Robinson was chosen in part (no small part) because he was a person of faith.
Branch Rickey was the baseball executive who reveals an outward expression of his own faith in making Robinson the first African America to play in the major leagues.
Jackie Robinson's story is worth exploring for anyone.  You do not need to be a baseball fan to appreciate the sacrifice and commitment shown. 
The Brooklyn Dodgers were like most others in the country when Jackie opened the season on their team.  They came from all parts of the country.  Many brought their racist views to the baseball diamond.  But some rose above and befriended Jackie.  Eventually he was treated like a true teammate.
I could recount many stories from the book and other sources.  If you saw the movie a few years back you may remember Branch Rickey saying I'm a Methodist, your'e a Methodist, and God's a Methodist.  Well, that last part is not accurate, but faith played a huge role in one of the more significant steps toward equal rights in the American experience.
I share that to acknowledge a sadness.  The shooting of Ahmaud Arbery is spotlighted in our culture.  The horrible details of two white men literally chasing down an innocent black man and eventually killing him, are now part of our national narrative.
We can do better.  We must do better.  We will, by the grace of God, do better.
In these days of coronavirus, I am perplexed that we have been unwilling or unable to seize the moment to bridge our national divisions.  Crisis should be used to bring us all together.  Rather, we persist in division and may even be increasing it.
But there is a hopeful sign among all this evil and sorrow. 
In every major league baseball stadium (and some day those stadiums will be buzzing with life - just not sure when) there is a jersey number displayed.  It is a number retired by all of major league baseball.  It symbolizes a hope for America at her best.  It represents those who sacrifice for the common good.  It stands for those who commit to bringing people through the worst we can offer and point to a new era. 
42.
We might apply the lessons of 42 to many areas of our life.  Let it be a reminder that even as we view the deep divisions around us and among us, there is a better way.
There is a way to honor people of all races. 
There is a way to lift up all the downtrodden.
There is a way to respect all people.
There is a way to overcome racism and all its attending evils.
There is a way.
Not only 42.
There is the Way.
The Way, the Truth, and the Life.
The Way of the Cross.
Jesus - the object of Jackie Robinson's faith.  The object of Branch Rickey's faith.  The object of a billion or more people across the face of the planet.  The object of your faith and mine.
Take a moment today and remember Ahmaud Arbery and his family.  Remember and pray for all those he becomes a symbol for.
Consider where we settle for divisions.
And look to Christ.  He is the one who truly unites us all together.
Perhaps this could be a day to pause from trying to digest the latest statistics and models relating to Covid-19.  There could be a more useful exercise.
42 Faith.
This is the day the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
steve