I believe we all have feelings of outrage, sadness, remorse, empathy, and at times, disgust. I can’t help but share my personal discouragement that turns to pain over what I hear on the news.
The senseless killing of George Floyd, along with the recent tragic deaths of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor are being felt deeply and personally among so many within our Timothy family. I fully recognize that I may never have the ability to totally understand the depth of anguish that many of you are feeling, and in particular our families of color. I do, however, want you to know that I hurt with you, and I am praying for you. Timothy Christian School stands in solidarity with you, even as we hope for a better tomorrow. Further, I pray that we will be able to work toward that goal as we face this together.
I am so proud to be part of the diverse TCS family where we honor, appreciate, seek to learn about, and celebrate one another’s differences; where we empathize with those who are hurting, lift one another up in prayer and bear one another’s burdens as Christ instructs us to do. We at Timothy Christian School will continue to work hard to share the love of Christ with one another and with those in the communities in which we live.
I believe God celebrates the multitude of differences that He created in his people. He has made us unique, every one of us, different. Christ died for us all. John wrote in Scripture (Rev. 7:9-12) about his glimpse of the future where people from every tribe, nation, people, those speaking any language, will worship God in heaven together.
I would like to borrow the words of President Lindsay (Gordon College) to convey our thoughts:
As believers in the gospel, we are compelled to speak up when we see blatant acts of injustice and to make sure all within our (TCS) family and greater community know we strive to be bearers of peace and unity. I know that words on their own can never be enough. At the same time, I want to state unequivocally and without reservation, on behalf of the entire (Timothy Christian School) community, that we condemn racism in all its forms. It is completely antithetical to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and as such, we repudiate all racially-inspired acts of violence, hurt, and malice.
We grieve and pray together for George Floyd’s family, for others who have suffered similar persecution, for the safety of the peaceful demonstrators and those in the National Guard and law enforcement, and for all our TCS family. While we are saddened that there is still racial divide in our country, we believe that in Christ there is hope for a better tomorrow. Change must come from the heart and begin in the home. Christ can change hearts. As Timothy Christian School is “home” to you, we assure you that we will continue to partner with you to teach our young people to love one another as Christ has loved us.
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24
In His Service,
Dr. James Smock
Dr. James N. Smock – Head of School