In 2014, George Floyd moved from Houston to Minneapolis. “He was looking to start over fresh, a new beginning,” said a friend.
On May 25, 2020, Floyd stopped at a convenience store to buy a pack of cigarettes. He paid with a counterfeit $20 bill. Employees called the police.
George Floyd and Officer Derek Chauvin began their day with plans and illusions about how the day might unfold. But on the appointed day, Chauvin seized him and lifted his heel against him so that Scripture might be fulfilled.*
When Chauvin put his knee on Floyd's neck, to my spirit it was as if the devil had already put it into the heart of Chauvin to kill the man.** The son of man went as it was determined.***
A teenager filmed his arrest and murder. The video went viral... so did the protests.
We often speak of purpose. When George Floyd was in second grade, he wrote that he dreamed of becoming a Supreme Court Justice. In many respects, he had done as much to promote reform and more to fight injustice than any appointed judge.
On June 2, 2020, six-year old Gianna Floyd, perched on the shoulders of a giant, smiled and proclaimed: "My daddy changed the world."
Is this how events truly unfolded? No. It's how I've chosen to reframe a tragedy.
*Mark 14:43; Psalm 41:9; John 17:12
**John 13:12
***Luke 22:21