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The sweet-faced boy popped up on my computer screen, well at least his picture, the only vision I
have of Trayvon Martin, the 17-year-old shot in cold blood by a self-appointed neighborhood
watchman in Florida last month. My son was there, sitting by my side, wanting to know who this boy
was and why he was on the computer. How do you explain to a 9-year-old that a boy that looks like
him, plays like him, is carefree like him, was just walking down the street with some candy and iced
tea, got killed just for being him? How do you explain to your boy that a likely fate for him could be
the same as that for Trayvon while we live in this crazy mixed up world? How do you tell your black
son that to some being a black boy is a threat that many want to get rid of?
I told him straight, no chaser because nothing can chase the lack of respect for other humans, for
black boys in particular, out of this situation and he needed to know that. Joshua needed to know
that some people think being a black boy is a crime and law enforcement agents seem to do what they
can to put away those who commit that crime. While sharing these harsh realities of living while
black, I reminded him that he was beautiful, fearfully and wonderfully made black boy, and that God
committed no crimes with His creation. The great crime in George Zimmerman killing Trayvon
Martin is the lack of respect for authority that has been revealed. While we teach our children about
injustices and how to seek justice, I believe they need to understand God’s purpose for authority and
how the Bible teaches us to engage those in authority, including when they are wrong. When we
violate God’s law of authority, as George Zimmerman did, situations go horribly wrong, even
criminal, like with Trayvon Martin.
First, recognize God’s authority. God created everything because it pleased Him to do so and
everything He created He called good. When we look upon another human being and devalue them—
their essence, not their actions—we are challenging God’s authority, His power to create humans in
His image. When we deem someone’s being not worthy of existence we are saying that God was
wrong in determining their being, we know better than God and we must right the wrong. This is a
dangerous place to be and we need to submit to God’s authority and see His image in other human
beings. “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created” (Revelation 4:11). “So God created man in his own
image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. . . . And God saw
everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. . . .” (Genesis 1:27, 31).
Second, recognize God’s human authority. When we understand that God has instituted positions of
authority—human and spiritual—we have to respect the authority system that God has put in place.
We, therefore, are required to follow the laws of the land and do so as we oppose unjust laws. When
we take the law into our own hands, we will be punished. When others, like Zimmerman, take the law
into their own hands, they will be punished and we Christians should be at the forefront in making
sure justice happens. “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from
God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels
against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished” (Romans 13:
1-2).
Seeking justice is our biblical obligation. Romans 13:4 says that God instituted governmental
authorities to be His “servants, sent for your good. . . .They are God's servants, sent for the very
purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.” But we know that law enforcement officers often
don’t enforce the law or even advocate for unjust laws. As of this writing, the Sanford, Florida police
still haven’t arrested Zimmerman for killing Trayvon Martin even though several reports say
Zimmerman admitted to committing the murder; Sanford’s Stand Your Ground law takes at face
value a claim of self-defense, which Zimmerman made though 911 tapes reveal otherwise. Because
the justice system—a system instituted by God—is operating unjustly, against God’s intention, we
must use all lawful means to right the wrongs of corruption. The Bible tells us to “(d)efend the cause
of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed” and to pray for “all who
are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (Psalms 82:
3; 1 Timothy 2:2). These we must do.
We must, with our children by our side, pray, march, petition, write, give speeches, demand firings
and do anything else within our power to make public servants serve the public and citizens respect
other citizens. Our children need to see what respecting and holding human authorities accountable
for their actions look like. And they need to understand that by God’s power they can change a
system around for good. They need a full understanding of biblical authority so they don’t, like
Zimmerman, become vigilantes, rebelling against authorities—above all rebelling against God. I pray
the sting of injustice will propel us to press hard for our children’s protection and give them an
example of respect for biblical authority as we fight injustice while keeping the Kingdom first
Enjoyed this article? Tell the writer by leaving a comment here or sending an email to
rhonda@eewmagazine.com.
ABOUT THE WRITER
Rhonda J. Smith is a former college speech instructor & communications coordinator turned full-
time homemaker & journalist. The writing of this committed wife and mother who earned her
Bachelor’s degree in journalism and a Master’s degree in communication from Wayne State
University, Detroit, has been featured in The Detroit News, Newsday (New York), Chicago Tribune,
Daily Tribune (Royal Oak, MI),Guideposts, and Charisma Magazine.
Rhonda frequently speaks at ministry functions, writes and edits newsletters for Christian ministries,
and teaches public speaking workshops. Three times a week, she encourages women to lean on God's
strength instead of their own through her blog, Musings of a (Recovering) Strong Black Woman. She,
her husband and three sons attend Evangel Ministries in Detroit, where they live.
Connect on Facebook:
Facebook.com
have of Trayvon Martin, the 17-year-old shot in cold blood by a self-appointed neighborhood
watchman in Florida last month. My son was there, sitting by my side, wanting to know who this boy
was and why he was on the computer. How do you explain to a 9-year-old that a boy that looks like
him, plays like him, is carefree like him, was just walking down the street with some candy and iced
tea, got killed just for being him? How do you explain to your boy that a likely fate for him could be
the same as that for Trayvon while we live in this crazy mixed up world? How do you tell your black
son that to some being a black boy is a threat that many want to get rid of?
I told him straight, no chaser because nothing can chase the lack of respect for other humans, for
black boys in particular, out of this situation and he needed to know that. Joshua needed to know
that some people think being a black boy is a crime and law enforcement agents seem to do what they
can to put away those who commit that crime. While sharing these harsh realities of living while
black, I reminded him that he was beautiful, fearfully and wonderfully made black boy, and that God
committed no crimes with His creation. The great crime in George Zimmerman killing Trayvon
Martin is the lack of respect for authority that has been revealed. While we teach our children about
injustices and how to seek justice, I believe they need to understand God’s purpose for authority and
how the Bible teaches us to engage those in authority, including when they are wrong. When we
violate God’s law of authority, as George Zimmerman did, situations go horribly wrong, even
criminal, like with Trayvon Martin.
First, recognize God’s authority. God created everything because it pleased Him to do so and
everything He created He called good. When we look upon another human being and devalue them—
their essence, not their actions—we are challenging God’s authority, His power to create humans in
His image. When we deem someone’s being not worthy of existence we are saying that God was
wrong in determining their being, we know better than God and we must right the wrong. This is a
dangerous place to be and we need to submit to God’s authority and see His image in other human
beings. “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created” (Revelation 4:11). “So God created man in his own
image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. . . . And God saw
everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. . . .” (Genesis 1:27, 31).
Second, recognize God’s human authority. When we understand that God has instituted positions of
authority—human and spiritual—we have to respect the authority system that God has put in place.
We, therefore, are required to follow the laws of the land and do so as we oppose unjust laws. When
we take the law into our own hands, we will be punished. When others, like Zimmerman, take the law
into their own hands, they will be punished and we Christians should be at the forefront in making
sure justice happens. “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from
God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels
against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished” (Romans 13:
1-2).
Seeking justice is our biblical obligation. Romans 13:4 says that God instituted governmental
authorities to be His “servants, sent for your good. . . .They are God's servants, sent for the very
purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.” But we know that law enforcement officers often
don’t enforce the law or even advocate for unjust laws. As of this writing, the Sanford, Florida police
still haven’t arrested Zimmerman for killing Trayvon Martin even though several reports say
Zimmerman admitted to committing the murder; Sanford’s Stand Your Ground law takes at face
value a claim of self-defense, which Zimmerman made though 911 tapes reveal otherwise. Because
the justice system—a system instituted by God—is operating unjustly, against God’s intention, we
must use all lawful means to right the wrongs of corruption. The Bible tells us to “(d)efend the cause
of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed” and to pray for “all who
are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (Psalms 82:
3; 1 Timothy 2:2). These we must do.
We must, with our children by our side, pray, march, petition, write, give speeches, demand firings
and do anything else within our power to make public servants serve the public and citizens respect
other citizens. Our children need to see what respecting and holding human authorities accountable
for their actions look like. And they need to understand that by God’s power they can change a
system around for good. They need a full understanding of biblical authority so they don’t, like
Zimmerman, become vigilantes, rebelling against authorities—above all rebelling against God. I pray
the sting of injustice will propel us to press hard for our children’s protection and give them an
example of respect for biblical authority as we fight injustice while keeping the Kingdom first
Enjoyed this article? Tell the writer by leaving a comment here or sending an email to
rhonda@eewmagazine.com.
ABOUT THE WRITER
Rhonda J. Smith is a former college speech instructor & communications coordinator turned full-
time homemaker & journalist. The writing of this committed wife and mother who earned her
Bachelor’s degree in journalism and a Master’s degree in communication from Wayne State
University, Detroit, has been featured in The Detroit News, Newsday (New York), Chicago Tribune,
Daily Tribune (Royal Oak, MI),Guideposts, and Charisma Magazine.
Rhonda frequently speaks at ministry functions, writes and edits newsletters for Christian ministries,
and teaches public speaking workshops. Three times a week, she encourages women to lean on God's
strength instead of their own through her blog, Musings of a (Recovering) Strong Black Woman. She,
her husband and three sons attend Evangel Ministries in Detroit, where they live.
Connect on Facebook:
Facebook.com
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MARCH 26-APRIL 9 EEW MAGAZINE