The Road Ahead

Where do we go from here? 2020 has been a tough road for most of us. We have been devastated economically and physically from the Corona Pandemic, and that is not over yet. We are now reeling from the George Floyd death, and that has brought much anger and disillusionment under the magnifying glass for all to see. This year has been a mess for all of us!

So, where do we go from here? Things have to change…and they will. Change is inevitable. The question is, will it be for the better or the worse? I think the most profound change I have seen is in me! I never thought in a million years that we would be pummelled the way we have as a country. We have been brought to the realization that this country is not quite as united and impervious as we once imagined. We are fragile in many respects.

The Corona Pandemic exposed our fear, and the tragic death of George Floyd exposed our deep-seated divide racially. We need some hope, and we need some clarity as to what to do next. I do feel that in many respects we are at a tipping point. We can reunite as a county or we will fall apart if we continue to succumb to fear and anger.

I wish that common sense would kick in faster for us as a country, but it seems that we are victims of the press and social media far too often. There is so much misinformation out there in regards to the virus and the death of Mr. Floyd that I sometimes just want to turn it all off.

Here is what I know to be true for me going forward:

  • I can’t allow fear to dictate what I do or don’t do. I have to rely upon common sense and solid information that has not been distorted for political or personal agendas.
  • I have to be a better listener to hear the hearts of those who look different from me. I need to understand better how they feel and why they feel the way they do.
  • I have to draw closer to God, trust His Word, and pray more.

I am tired, like most of America, with the misinformation and outright lies from the news and social media sources. It seems that the truth has been sacrificed for the sake of ratings in far too many instances. Even sources that I thought I could trust have now become suspect.

I hate what is going on in cities all over America. Yes, the police involved in this death are guilty and they will have to pay for their crime. Yes, we have to come together as a country or we will not make it as a nation in the future. If we allow the anarchists to dictate how we are to respond to tragedy, then we will reap what is sown and have nothing left of our great nation but ashes and tyranny.

This is a time for healing…but the healing will not take place as long as we keep picking at the wounds. Forgiveness has to take place on all sides. Love and acceptance have to be our primary goals. We have several roads ahead, but only one on which we can walk together. Let the healing begin.

Shalom!

Daniel Skognes

One Response to “The Road Ahead”

  1. Dawn Smith-Henry says:

    Where do we go from here? We take the path of transparency, a path that results in authentic soul-searching and confession. If we are serious about forgiveness and healing then we must have open conversations that lead to meaningful change.