God,The Great Vindicator
In 2016, when famed NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick decided to start kneeling during the performances of the National Anthem at games to protest police brutality and social injustices geared toward African Americans, the world went nuts.
Colin was basically pushed out of the NFL for his decision to stand against social injustices. Many people mocked his decision to protest- even a few African Americans. The president of the United States called players like Kaepernick who kneeled in protest of the National Anthem “sons of bitches”.
Outraged protester preparing to burn Nike tennis shoes because the company supports Colin. Source: Twitter
When Nike offered Colin an ad campaign, many racist white individuals burned their Nike gear. Furious protesters wanted it to be known that they would rather burn their athleisure than support a company that supports Kaepernick.
Colin running with African American youth through Harlem for GQ. Photo: Martin Schoeller.
However, Colin continued to make beautiful and selfishness choices. He donated money to various causes that supported racial equality and even started his own camp called “Know Your Rights” to teach black youngster their legal rights and Black history among other things.
Last year, Kaepernick was finally given an opportunity to be apart of the NFL again. Though he did a remarkable job in his filmed workout, no team would draft him.
Colin taking a knee at a 49ers game. Photo: Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images
It seemed all attention was off Kaepernick and his career was over, that is until George Floyd. When a horrid white cop named Derek Chauvin killed civilian George Floyd for no justifiable reason by putting his knee onto Floyd’s neck for more than 8 minutes, pinning him to hard, hot pavement as the poor man cried out for his mother, history shifted. When the horrendous video of the murder made its viral rounds around social media, people recognized Chauvin’s stance.
Chauvin (Left) and Kaepernick (Right) both taking a knee for vastly different reasons. Photo: Janet Jackson’s Twitter account
Something was so familiar about it…. Could it be? Yes, Yes it was! Chauvin took a knee on an innocent black man’s neck, the same way Colin took a knee in 2016 to protest police brutality. Almost as soon as the connection was made, many people understood why Collin Kaepernick risked all the fame and glory to acknowledge the importance of black lives. Suddenly, Collin’s actions were vindicated.
American police taking a peaceful knee in solitary with Black Lives Matter. Photo: Dustin Chambers/Reuters
After almost four long years of hating Colin’s protests, now policemen are taking a knee, high profile white politicians are taking a knee (though the action seems outlandishly distasteful at this time), white protesters are taking a knee- the entire world is kneeling in protest of police brutality and racism. Though it is horrible that George Floyd had to die so that Collin could be vindicated, God is a God of plan and strategy that benefits the collective.
Beautiful public memorial to George Floyd. Photo: Xena Goldman
Mr. Floyd was the sacrificial lambs to vindicate Kaepernick and bring attention to police brutality and social injustice globally. George Floyd died so that millions of black people will live, the racist system will be overthrown, and Collin can live to protest and bring change to the lives of many. As a matter of fact, God is vindicating George Floyd because soon his name will be cleared and the entire world will celebrate Mr. Floyd as the catalyst for modern social change.
The point of this post is for you to understand that God is your vindicator. The only thing you must do is make good choices and put your battles into the hands of the Lord. He will fight your battles and vindicate your name. He will cause you to rise from the ashes and quite literally make your enemies your footstool (Hebrews 1:13).
If something unfair happened to you when you knew you were making an upright choice, then fear not. Rather meditate on these two scriptures:
“For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Deut. 20: 4
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Romans 12:19
Just as God is vindicating Collin Kaepernick, and George Floyd through the human family, God will vindicate you as the great judge of men. Just wait, wait I say on the Lord.
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
People standing with Colin’s decision to care about black lives and police brutality. Photo: Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times
