Dear Jasper County,
Disclaimer: This post may make me sound like I have a "holier than thou" attitude. I assure you that is not the heart behind this post, I am here to just post some thoughts from an outside point of view. I speak with sincerity, love, and truth (at times, some hard truth)
For those who don't know, I grew up in a small town named Ridgeland, South Carolina. The Wikipedia page for Ridgeland says as of 2010, the population was 4,063. Ridgeland is located in Jasper County. You could consider it your average, small southern town...and if you ask me someone should open up a restaurant that isn't Mexican food or pizza...but that's just my opinion. Just recently, I have seen several posts from home about the crime in the community, including murders, drug trafficking and gang related violence. Now while I am sure this has always been a part of our community to some extent, to see a place that I grew up in turn into a crime ridden safe haven has sadden me.
This is my open letter to Jasper County:
Dear Jasper County:
What if the crime in your local area could be decreased, or better yet, even halted? What if the ones that are committing the crimes, were actually given a hope and a future, not just called a thug, thrown in jail and forgotten about in the system. What if, the teenagers knew they were loved and cared about, instead of seeking out crime to get attention? The answer is not in increased law enforcement or even a new law or regulation. The answer is simple.
The answer lies in the way those who claim to follow Jesus live their lives. The answer can be found in the way that Jesus reacted when he came into contact with the "thugs and thieves" of his lifetime. As a matter of fact, Jesus sought to be with these people, to share life with those that the community had forgotten about. The ones that had to steal, kill, and live lives of debauchery, were the very ones Jesus knew were suffering the most. They were looking for fulfillment in things that would never satisfy. Its safe to say that the religious people of Jesus' time called these people sinners, and its also safe to say that its very easy to call the criminals in Jasper County, sinners.
Here's the kicker, Jesus even said himself in Matthew 9:11-12 that he did not come to save the righteous, and lets face it...when compared to criminals, it is very easy to become self-righteous.
Now maybe you're thinking, "Well, Reh, what do you expect us to do?"
My answer is this, " Get uncomfortable. Go to the places these people live and build relationships. Leave the comfortableness of your well worn pews and the walls of your church. Be the church instead of going to church. Go to where brokenness is most evident instead of hoping that the broken will come to your church. You see, Jesus ALWAYS went to the sinner, and inevitably their lives were changed. What would happen if you, Jasper County, did the same?"
What would happen if you actually began to pray for these people committing the crimes, and I don't mean praying for them in a "Bless your heart, cultural Christianity, shallow" way. I mean getting down into the mess and showing compassion towards them. What would Jasper County look like then?
Lives would be changed, the crime and drug culture would dramatically change. Why? Because fathers would be learn and know how to be fathers instead of continuing to pass on a vicious cycle of drugs, gangs and crime. Families would begin to show love and allowing their children to know they are loved, valued and cared for. When change like this happens, its spreads like wildfire, eventually causing a total transformation.
I know its hard to imagine living life beside those that steal, cheat, kill and other unimaginable things, but the very ones that commit the crimes are the very ones that Jesus Christ went to the Cross to save.
Am I saying that those that commit crimes should not be punished and let go free? No, because that isn't justice. What I am saying is that even after a sentence is read, there is still hope for that man or woman, because Jesus himself hasn't given up on them so neither should we.
So please Jasper County, do not give up. Learn how to love then go out and love your community. Be the catalyst for future generations, teaching them in the way that they should go. While change may not be immediate, long term change is obtainable and very possible if the citizens of Jasper County that claim to follow Christ would just become a little uncomfortable. Step out of your comfort zone. Go and love, genuinely, in the name of Jesus Christ and transformation will happen, I guarantee it.
There is always hope in Christ, we proclaim it, so let's live it.
For those who don't know, I grew up in a small town named Ridgeland, South Carolina. The Wikipedia page for Ridgeland says as of 2010, the population was 4,063. Ridgeland is located in Jasper County. You could consider it your average, small southern town...and if you ask me someone should open up a restaurant that isn't Mexican food or pizza...but that's just my opinion. Just recently, I have seen several posts from home about the crime in the community, including murders, drug trafficking and gang related violence. Now while I am sure this has always been a part of our community to some extent, to see a place that I grew up in turn into a crime ridden safe haven has sadden me.
This is my open letter to Jasper County:
Dear Jasper County:
What if the crime in your local area could be decreased, or better yet, even halted? What if the ones that are committing the crimes, were actually given a hope and a future, not just called a thug, thrown in jail and forgotten about in the system. What if, the teenagers knew they were loved and cared about, instead of seeking out crime to get attention? The answer is not in increased law enforcement or even a new law or regulation. The answer is simple.
The answer lies in the way those who claim to follow Jesus live their lives. The answer can be found in the way that Jesus reacted when he came into contact with the "thugs and thieves" of his lifetime. As a matter of fact, Jesus sought to be with these people, to share life with those that the community had forgotten about. The ones that had to steal, kill, and live lives of debauchery, were the very ones Jesus knew were suffering the most. They were looking for fulfillment in things that would never satisfy. Its safe to say that the religious people of Jesus' time called these people sinners, and its also safe to say that its very easy to call the criminals in Jasper County, sinners.
Here's the kicker, Jesus even said himself in Matthew 9:11-12 that he did not come to save the righteous, and lets face it...when compared to criminals, it is very easy to become self-righteous.
11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. -Matt 9:11-12 ESV
Now maybe you're thinking, "Well, Reh, what do you expect us to do?"
My answer is this, " Get uncomfortable. Go to the places these people live and build relationships. Leave the comfortableness of your well worn pews and the walls of your church. Be the church instead of going to church. Go to where brokenness is most evident instead of hoping that the broken will come to your church. You see, Jesus ALWAYS went to the sinner, and inevitably their lives were changed. What would happen if you, Jasper County, did the same?"
What would happen if you actually began to pray for these people committing the crimes, and I don't mean praying for them in a "Bless your heart, cultural Christianity, shallow" way. I mean getting down into the mess and showing compassion towards them. What would Jasper County look like then?
Lives would be changed, the crime and drug culture would dramatically change. Why? Because fathers would be learn and know how to be fathers instead of continuing to pass on a vicious cycle of drugs, gangs and crime. Families would begin to show love and allowing their children to know they are loved, valued and cared for. When change like this happens, its spreads like wildfire, eventually causing a total transformation.
I know its hard to imagine living life beside those that steal, cheat, kill and other unimaginable things, but the very ones that commit the crimes are the very ones that Jesus Christ went to the Cross to save.
Am I saying that those that commit crimes should not be punished and let go free? No, because that isn't justice. What I am saying is that even after a sentence is read, there is still hope for that man or woman, because Jesus himself hasn't given up on them so neither should we.
So please Jasper County, do not give up. Learn how to love then go out and love your community. Be the catalyst for future generations, teaching them in the way that they should go. While change may not be immediate, long term change is obtainable and very possible if the citizens of Jasper County that claim to follow Christ would just become a little uncomfortable. Step out of your comfort zone. Go and love, genuinely, in the name of Jesus Christ and transformation will happen, I guarantee it.
There is always hope in Christ, we proclaim it, so let's live it.
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