Today, as i sat in the building in which a small portion of the Church gathers, i listened to our pastor’s impassioned plea for unity. It hit me, as i heard his words and saw a glimpse of his heart that this is the same conversation i have been having with Rachel our Axiom manager. Just a regular woman, who just happens to be dark complected, a person of color, black, to be PC, African~American. i can’t pretend to know how it feels to be a person of color, any color other than white, in America.
We could spend lots of time arguing i am sure, all points and sides, from “Black Lives Matter” to “All Lives Matter”. Simultaneously arguing the same points but blind because neither side can truly understand the other completely.
So, as i sat in the building with the Church i was reminded of this passage in Galatians Chapter 3…beginning with verse 26;
26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
The CHURCH must rise up above the racial tension in America. It must begin to show unity in tangible ways to those around us. This isn’t a political issue, although it has been made into one…it is rather a social one. The Church for all of its flaws, has an opportunity to show Christ. To live out this principle in Galatians. To live out the mandate of Scripture to love, show mercy, have compassion, and live in a place of grace and forgiveness…it is for us, the Church, to walk humbly.
i am thankful that we took 30 teens to camp last week and we were the most diverse group there. i am proud of that fact and felt even better when one of the counselors was talking to me and pointed out the fact. To be honest, i hadn’t thought about it. i like to think that i don’t see color, that i live out Galatians everyday. Not that i am already perfected, but forgetting what is behind, i press on toward the goal of Christ Jesus.
Rejoicing always, i attempt to let my gentleness be an outward expression of who lives within me. i try not to be anxious but in everything though prayer i am thankfully hopeful. i am paraphrasing parts of Philippians, but let me close with this quote from the same 4:8,9
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
You are loved,
cj
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