I’m diving right in with some thoughts on racial injustice and the complex mess we as the (un)United States face. Because that seems like a fun, light-hearted thing to do. Or not.
I was sitting in Starbucks when it hit me. I’ve been wrestling with shame and guilt over the fact that I’m a white girl. It’s like I want to apologize to everyone of a different color who crosses my path for being born this way.
But…that’s not a helpful train of thought. Or from Jesus. So I’m stopping that. Because we can’t choose the color we’re born, but we can choose what we do while we’re in the skin we’re in.
The morning before the Dallas shootings I had posted the essay by Propaganda from Relevant Magazine onto Facebook — not knowing that his words would shed even more perspective when I woke up the next morning to news of more death. In the essay, Propaganda talks about “white privilege” — a phrase I’ve always despised so instead I’ve mostly ignored. But as I’ve tried to prayerfully peel back the layers and implications of the phrase, I’m seeing what seems to be unreachable depths with the issue of racial equality in this nation. Which can be paralyzing.
I’m an idealist at heart. I’ve always been the type who sees the silver lining and wishes we could all just get along. I like the idea of everyone holding hands and singing friendship songs with the smell of sweetness in the air. But in reality, there are American systems and mindsets in place that discourage, and straight up constrain, that from happening. And when we place those systems, for hundreds of years, on human hearts, we’re left with a painful mess.
So it brings me back to square one — that hopeless square that tempts me to throw my hands up and say, “The division and confusion is too big and too craptacular, so I’m just not going to do anything.” Silence.
But the heart of God is for His kingdom to come to earth. (Matthew 6:9-15) Jesus ushered in the “kingdom of heaven” when He stepped on this planet. His Spirit comes to live inside those who believe and follow, placing His kingdom into the heart of man. And in Christ, we’re commanded and empowered to call forth His kingdom into our broken world, one life at a time.
Yes, our world is jacked up. People bathe in deep seeded hatred. And it seems that lasting change sits far out of reach on some tall mountain mocking us for our efforts. But the God I know can crush mountains that hinder His love. The God I know can bring dead people to life and give sight to the blind.
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
(Revelation 7:9, Come, Lord Jesus.)
But what are we to do? How can individuals change a system that seems to so deeply define the fabric of a nation? I don’t know. If I did you could write me in for president. But I do know there are some basic truths that could steer us towards a solution.
Truth #1: Whatever our skin color, God has us where we are with purpose. And that’s where we can begin to make a difference.
Whether we’re running a corporation, stepping into political office, making overpriced coffee drinks, or playing with our kids at a park, all of us have opportunities to encourage racial justice where we live. All of us have some influence somewhere. Now we get to choose what we do with it. We can bury our head in the sand and pretend injustice isn’t happening outside our front doors. Or in the love of Christ, we can open our eyes and seek to understand the state of our culture so that we can then be conduits of God’s kingdom on planet earth, right where we stand.
Which leads to truth #2.
Truth #2: Words are power. Start a conversation.
Once we’re willing to admit that there are still significant racial problems in our country (hello!) then we can start conversations. We can reach “across the line” and ask honest questions in efforts to understand. Understand hearts. Understand struggles. Understand perspective. And if we’re already in relationships with people of a different color, then let’s not allow fear-based silence to take hold. Start conversations and then take those conversations before the Lord in prayer. His heart is for unity. He hears the prayers of His people. And He alone can heal and move hearts.
Truth #3: Hope still exists.
The morning of the Dallas shootings my kids and I went to the pool. I watched as kids of all colors played together, taking turns jumping off the side and catching balls. And I thought, “There’s still hope.” Yes, systems and structures are in place. And we cannot deny a history dripping with injustice. But systems can change by people who are changed by the gospel of Jesus. History can be forgiven and healed by a God who truly binds up the wounded heart. And the next generation in the hands of a mighty God, walking boldly in His Spirit, could be the key.
I’ve had a couple of friends tell me that they will have to have conversations with their kids (because they’re African-American) that I won’t have to have with mine. And that sickens me. But I’m thinking that I need to be having honest conversations with my white kids that (unfortunately for the moment) these particular friends won’t have to have with their kids. I need to teach my kids that because of their skin color, they have a unique responsibility in this nation. They have a responsibility to stand in the gap when they see injustice. They have a responsibility not to be silent but to speak out. They have a responsibility to use this “white privilege” — as much as the phrase disgusts me — as an agent of change so that maybe, just maybe, the phrase will truly be a piece of history when their kids are born.
God still sits secure on His throne. And because of Him, there’s still hope. Change may seem like a long way off. It may be a long way off. But change can begin when people, in the hands of an Almighty God, grasp the depths and height and width of the love of Christ so that His transforming love then spills out. Change can happen through me (and you) right where God has us in the skin He’s placed us with the people before us, to the glory of the God of love.
Amen.
Disclaimer: I believe that the love of Christ transforming the heart of man is ultimately the only solution to all human atrocities, including racial injustice. All are welcome here but I’m primarily addressing those who believe the same, calling us out of our possible slumber.
Fill me, Lord…
I almost turned off the comments on this one but, what says you?
Your post brought me to tears and I’m positive I don’t have the right words…but we stand with you, and your family, and the Lord, in the gap, with hope for the future.
Hope for the future. Yes.
Amen! We can’t just sit silently in our churches or safe spaces because of the issues we are afraid of or don’t understand. We see injustice and bring the gospel! Because only Jesus can save and heal and forgive. Love this!
Yes, ma’am. Only Jesus! Love you, friend.
I too cried as I read this. Wonderful thoughts, Lara! Thank you for being humble and bold at the same time.
Our Police Chief David Brown said it so well (loosely quoted) “We, individually, are in this time and place for a reason and we have to get involved and be a part of the solution in a hands on way.”
I have no idea what it feels like to walk in someone else’s skin color, so I will look everyone I walk towards in the eye and smile and say hello and show kindness and sharing in anyway possible.
How must it feel to have no real grocery store to get to? There are cities where good store chains are miles away. Fresh vegetables and fruit and meat and eggs are not easily obtained. That is so far removed from my understanding. I only understood the choice of living far from retail and planning your monthly store trips, but there are people who do not have either luxury: living close to retail or the means to plan living far from retail.
I like the examples in Acts of unity amongst believers and boldness to speak Christ amidst threats and persecution.
So many thoughts going through my mind, but above all, I will do more to look others in the eye and ask God to help me see what is inside those eyes – the windows of our soul – and to show me how I can not hastily move on with my busy day.
We were on vacation at the time of the Dallas shootings and the following evening, we were at a tourist “hot spot” with arcade games, sky coasters, go-carts and the like. We ended up in line near a large black family who were loud, boisterous and fun, but I found myself wondering if they where the type of family to celebrate the BLM movement or how they felt towards us as a white family. And that made me sad and mad, that I had allowed society and media to get me thinking this way! In my mind I was judging them because they might be judging me. Yuck! That is NOT how I want to think or act. One of the things I enjoyed watching was the good-natured ribbing between family members on who was going to win the race. It reminded me of my teen sons and husband, so I made myself focus on the commonalities, not any perceived difference. I didn’t ride and waited for my family at the finish line. As that family exited the ride, I asked who was the family winner. Mom did a little happy dance saying that she was and the son kind of shrugged his shoulders and said he came in 2nd. I replied, “But you beat your Dad and that’s what really matters, right?” A big grin lit up his face and he looked at his Dad and said “heck ya! My old man is S-L-O-W!” Sounded just like my family. Because, you know what – they are.
Absolutely correct!! I actually told a good friend (a not-Christian) almost the exact words that you used in your “disclaimer”. It is Christ ONLY who can change the hearts of man and make a real difference in this world! WE must share His message of salvation if the world is to have any hope of experiencing that change!
Thank you for your words. I have been marinating in thoughts and prayers over these issues the past few weeks & months. I didn’t realize until we moved back to the south how “white washed” my Colorado community had been. Since we landed in GA, I’ve been really thinking about the systemic issues that face people of color and what I as a white suburban stay-at-home-mom could possibly do to even make a dent. But your words of encouragement continue to prod me in the direction I believe the Spirit is leading, towards seeking out relationships and opportunities to pour his love into a broken system, into broken hearts, into our broken brothers & sisters and bring his kingdom one seed at a time.
You dived DEEP my sister and I say Hallelujah!!! It’s time for us all to look in the mirror asking God to show us the difference of what He sees in our hearts compared to a heart like His. Why? Not to feel condemnation but to realize we are equipped to be better that we are. We have been given His Spirit grieving to be allowed to will and work in us. It’s time we paid attention to our thoughts, our conversations and our attitudes. Eyes and ears are learning from us. It’s time we faced our own prejudices and fears. It’s time we stopped judging anyone and spend our time knowing their story. Until we have a friend who is African-American, gay, trans-gender, Muslim, poor, dealing with addiction, etc. THEN might we become prepared to express an educated observation about what it’s like to live in their shoes. Until then, we need to be quiet. Keep diving deep my friend. Let us drop our rocks and find out the truth about ourselves.
I was truly blessed by your insight and it honestly was a fresh wind for me as an African-American, Holy Spirit filled, pastor, wife, mother, and most importantly Child of God. It is very important for Christians to identify and have an understanding of the differences that make us unique by our Creator. It is also important to remember that Our Creator made us different but still placed His signature on each of us as we were created in His image. We have so many similarities as mankind…if cut, we all will bleed! The issue that we face with racial injustice, profiling, discrimination, racism, hatred, etc. is that here are not enough of us identifying that it exists…please don’t think that just “privileged white people” are unaware…you have just as many “privileged black people” and I am sure there are other races too that have people who do not have a true clue as to what is going on around them and they pass judgement on what is unknown. Sadly, we all do it. If I am in a parking lot and see a man walking too close to my car, I immediately lock the door. If I see a woman, I do nothing…either could pose a threat to me, but is is sexist for me to assume the man is a greater threat??? We all do stuff like this EVERYDAY even if it is with our own family. My son is going to eat more at lunch, so I give him more food but my daughter ends up eating more than him…judgement based on assumption.
What we must realize with our times and how we can really be a voice and make an impact is to identify the areas in our lives where we ourselves have developed negative judgments and destroy them. If those around us hear us discourage negativity, those seeds will spread change on there own. Most things that are learned are through demonstration or what we see. Yes dialogue and discussion is great, but are we always prepared for the questions that can come along with it?? NO! If our children see us or hear us, they are more likely to follow us. “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it” Proverbs 22:6 What my husband and I teach our black children is The WORD of God so that it will be hidden in their hearts (Psalm 119:11), we teach them that they are fearfully and wonderfully made and they are precious gifts from above. Yes they know at 5 and 3 that they are brown and so do we, but we will always encourage Christ first because demonstrating His Character and The Fruit of His Spirit are far greater than any cautions or “worldly teachings” we could ever provide.
I have written devotionals as well, addressing this topic on my website http://www.womanbyfaith.com
It is so important to SEEK HIM FIRST for all answers and guidance. Sin is crouching at our door, but what does God encourage us to do?
God Bless You All! Thank you Lara!