(Video: T.D. Jakes starts @ 42:50)
The city of Dallas, Texas held a press conference and prayer vigil in response to the violent tragedies that have gripped our nation. T.D. Jakes joined Dallas Police Chief David Brown and State Senator Royce West in addressing the crowd. Jakes encouraged those listening online and in-person to stand together.
T.D. Jakes joined Dallas Police Chief David Brown and State Senator Royce West in addressing the crowd. Jakes encouraged those listening online and in person to stand together.
“We cannot turn our heads the other way when tragedy strikes someone who votes differently, or dresses differently, or speaks differently or even believes differently,” he said. Jakes implored those who listened to “Leave this world a better place than we found it.”
During these difficult times it’s crucial to remember these three lessons:
1. There’s more that unites us than divides us.
We are family, literally. All humans on the planet today descend from the same male and female ancestors. Our DNA is 99.5% similar. Beyond biology, each of us share similar wants, needs and experiences. We hunger, thirst, love and fear. We know sorrow, joy and pain. We have mothers and fathers, brothers and sister, lovers and haters. We breathe and bleed all the same.
We mustn’t divide ourselves by origins and opinions. Instead, we have to remind ourselves that we are not our differences. There’s more that unites us than divides us.
2. Only love can conquer hate.
Martin Luther King famously said, “ I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” In the midst of such trying times, pain can cloud our hearts and minds. But love holds the power to heal every part of us; love protects, nurtures and perseveres. The powerful act of extending love towards our brothers and sisters, even and especially those who have done wrong, lightens the burden on our souls.
On the other hand, hate begets hate. Hate fuels a fire that consumes everything in its path. Hate perverts righteous anger for its own purposes. Hate must be vanquished and only love can drive out hate.
3. After every night, there is morning.
The night is dark. The suffering is real and the pain is palpable but we know light disrupts darkness. Light provides us the ability to see everything with a fresh pair of eyes. The dawn of a new day renews our hope for a connected humanity. We must operate by faith--faith in ourselves and in each other. We know that after every night, there is morning.