All One

Like many of you, I am saddened, heartbroken, confused, and angered by the recent events and deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmoud Arbery and many others. Tragedies like these are constant reminders that we are not as united as we think. As a matter of fact, it can feel like people are more divided today than ever. From Colin Kaepernick, to Black Lives Matter, to Blue Lives Matter, to cities like Charlottesville, Virginia and Ferguson, Missouri, there have been some huge events and important conversations regarding race over the past few years. Racism, racial bias, and prejudice highlights the evil in our world, society and even our own hearts. But do the conversations about race matter to you?

Because these conversations have been so heated and divided in our country, it can make you wonder, “Is it okay to talk about this?” or question, "Should we be talking about this?"  In fact, many people just avoid the conversation altogether. We may feel uncomfortable, mad or just plain tired. We may feel this is a conversation for someone else to have. But the truth is, the difficult and uncomfortable conversations are the most important ones to have.

For a long time, even during Biblical times, people have used race as a reason for treating each other differently. Fortunately, the early church worked together to come up with the right solutions. Today, it’s up to us to recognize evil, mistreatment and discrimination. As the church, when we see problems and injustices in the world, we must work towards solutions.

The first step the early church took towards solving the problem was deciding to care. They could have easily walked away, ignored it, claimed that it wasn’t their problem or given up hope that things could get better. But they didn’t. They decided that the body of Christ had to operate differently than the rest of the world.  In a letter to Jesus-followers in Galatia, the Apostle Paul writes this:

"For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus."   Galatians 3:26-28 NLT

Jesus’ desire for us is to be one. To love one another, no matter what would normally separate us. Jesus knew that as long as we live in this world there will be differences and people will always use differences as an excuse to hurt and mistreat each other. But Jesus actually prayed that things would be different for people who followed Him. Jesus prayed we would all be one. 

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."  John 17:20-23 NIV

Because of Jesus, we can all be one even when we are not the same. 

Here are two practical ways to start:

1. Pay attention to you.

Pay more attention to your thoughts around race and race relations. After all, our thoughts will ultimately drive our actions. So this week, examine your first thoughts when you connect with someone different than you. Ask yourself, "Why am I thinking this?" If it's negative, examine it. Then, ask God to replace your thoughts with His and remove it from your heart. 

See Psalm 139:23-24

2. Pay attention to others. 

Start a conversation with a friend, a co-worker, a classmate or a teammate who is different than you. Make it a point to ask questions. Be curious and learn more. Pay attention to their story and experiences. You can find out a lot from someone just by listening to their story. Approach these conversations with an open heart and mind - be a student, not a critic.

Imagine if people saw the church leading the way in this area. Imagine if people saw the church as a solution to the problem of racism. Imagine what could change in our city, our country and our world if we put the 2 points above into practice. When we truly care about race and its impact on all people, we can all move one step closer to Jesus' prayer for us as His church - to become one.    

Russell