I grew up in a completely mixed racial neighborhood.
I knew nothing different.
I actually ran out of my History of American class at 22 and almost threw up on the pebble infested walkway as each little thing came back to me from grade school and all the books, stories, lessons, and Martin Luther King Jr. coloring pages clicked into place and suddenly made sense.
I know some people will read this blog and wonder how simple minded I could be or think I’m racially color blind or ignorant or whatever.
I really could care less about peoples opinions of me.
My reality was that people were people.
I didn’t see an Asian person – I saw a person.
I didn’t see an African person – I saw a person.
– it didn’t completely stay that way.
After University I worked in the prison system to help bring literacy.
I was enamored with the Chaplain I worked under, until I stopped agreeing with him – and refused to do things I found deceiving to the authorities – and he started threatening my life on a daily basis.
I would cry all the way to work – and it stayed that way until I wised up and reported him to the authorities.
After I thought it was resolved and that that chapter of my life was over, I started having panic attacks whenever I saw someone of his skin color walking towards me – or enter a room.
The Lord healed that through a man who worked in the youth group with me who I’d known for a long time before. For me he had never been anything other than a human.
The longer we worked together, & the more of Christ he showed through his life with the students – the less fear there was, until one day I realized that I was no longer afraid of people of my old boss’s skin color. I had received healing.
I was able to go to him and share how God had used him to heal the trauma from the last season of my life.
.
Last week our team spent a few days in Saint Joseph, Michigan. Ten minutes away was Benton Harbor, where we spent most of our time doing ministry with a dear lady Gabrielle who had moved into Benton Harbor after a year of a lot of pain in life herself.
.
The area we were in is one of the most racially divided places in the United States – with just a small bridge spanning between the two cities.
Gabrielle moved into the area to live life with the community and opened her table – planted a community garden – and has made herself available to bring hope and life into an area few are willing to go because of their preconceived notions and standards.
Even the road laws change the moment you cross the bridge.
Its a strange and stark divide held by people’s fears and preferences.
.
The first day we were there we were able to go help with her community garden.
Neighbors kept coming by and – surprised by the meaning of the plots of vegetables, – accepted bags of fresh veggies with gratitude.
They all seemed to know Gabrielle, and we could see her friendship meant something more than some flimsy kindness token.
She shared with us the care and love the community had for her and it warmed and encouraged our hearts to see its mutuality with our own eyes.
.
The day after we got to help paint a guys house down the street from her.
It’s wierd and strangely satisfying to feel so at home in a place so far removed geographically – and even in form and style, from my own neighborhood in California.
But standing on the ladder, shins bruised, trying to keep the paint from flecking on my clothes, my arms burning from hours at the same strokes, I felt so at home in a neighborhood that certain others would scorn.
.
I ended up talking to a few strangers walking downtown in St. Jo’s the next day. I mentioned the racial division and how the city’s laws even helped support it.
“Oh god! I hope not!” one lady said, trying to deny that such a thing existed – or was being reinforced.
But I could tell from her apparel – accessories – the nervousness in her voice, and the way that she quickened her steps to get away and change the subject with her girlfriends, that she knew.
.
So I want to make a statement.
People are people.
Kind, mean, good, bad, rich, poor, beautiful, or ugly (depending on your own opinions) – people are people.
I would love for us to stop blaming people, and take responsibility for our own prejudices, and treat people as we would want to be treated.
Because if each of us are honest, we will find that there are thoughts about others like “well if they – ” or “they could have had…” or anything that we can think –
that if we are honest, we would easily excuse ourself over if it was our problem, situation, or fault.
.
I and my team helped paint this guys house in Gabrielle’s neighborhood, – and of course he probably could have painted it himself – or come and helped us do it more than he did.
But I was able to set aside my thoughts of “what if” and “shoulda” and just love with my time.
The Bible says two things that really stick out to me:
1. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – Jesus, recorded by John (13:35)
2. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” – Paul, to the saints at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 6:12)
.
Deep down, I wonder how we as (supposed) believers/followers of Christ are loving the people He has made and paid so dear a cost to bring in as family?
As God redefines family for me on this WorldRaceAmerica journey, it all points to the family He is creating in His Name.
Are we fighting flesh and blood in our struggle of life?
What demons do we create with our feelings?
What’s been defined for us through our experiences – that actually do not fit God’s definition of things?
Will we allow Him to rewrite our dictionary?
.
If we will, then it often means He has to take us back into the same pain and discomfort, in order that in the experience we can gain the definition that He has to give us.
How uncomfortable, – How redefined/God-defined, do you want your life to be?
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” – Jesus, (John 10:10)
.
” So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” “- Jesus, (John 8:31-32)
Are you bound by your experiences? And your opinions?
I think I would like to stop painting demons everywhere I go…
