A Southern Pastor: If Not Me, Then Who?

if I pass you on the street and see you crying,
if you look afraid or unsure or alone,
am I not supposed to stand by you
if not me, then who?

if I see someone shouting hatred,
calling names, using words to cause pain,
am I supposed to stay neutral, walk silently by
if not me, then who?

I am told to not be divisive,
don’t take sides, be the calm in the fight
but if silence continues the suffering and hate
if not me, then who?

the call to love and stand for the suffering
doesn’t have boundaries or exceptions or follow rules
the call to minister to the suffering means all in all times
if not me, then who?

there is hope in the foundation of the divine kingdom
we find love and grace in the sharing of divine words
but that kingdom is ours for the building
if not me, then who?

if there is fear, injustice, or anger and hate
if there is threat of attack of those insecure
will you follow the command to love others as Christ
if not you, then who?

 

For inspiration and strength:

Melanie Tubbs is a professor, pastor, mother, Mimi, and true Arkansas woman. She lives with nine cats and one dog on a quiet hill in a rural county where she pastors a church and teaches history at the local university. Her slightly addictive personality comes out in shameful Netflix binges and a massive collection of books. Vegetarian cooking, reading mountains of books for her seminary classes, and crocheting for the churches prayer shawl ministry take up most of her free time, and sharing the love of Christ forms the direction of her life. May the Peace of Christ be with You.