HOPE for our commUNITY

I recently wrote a post that captured what I believe to be the hope of unity in the midst of diversity. It was my version of the story of Sam.

Granted, it was just my experience with one person of color. And I certainly don’t represent all ‘white’ people and his story isn’t the consensus for all race relations.

I grew up in a town that was rather sociologically homogenous. Beliefs and behaviors passed down from generation to generation without much push back because of the demographic in our town.

Is it possible that this town was/is racially divisive? Possibly. And if so, why? Here are two possibilities: ignorance and inexperience.

Ignorance is a lack of knowledge. And, fundamentally, obtaining knowledge requires education. What happens in a society of ignorance is a narrative of stereotypes. People and groups are categorized by certain criteria in which there seems to be no variation or room for change. While there are some extremely intelligent citizens in the world, many have chosen the opinions and stories they wish to embrace and the ones they wish to suppress.

Inexperience is often the result of choosing to remain ignorant. Rarely is there a welcome mat at the front door of our lives inviting change. Not personally nor collectively. We’re content for things to stay the same. Familiar. Complacent. Maybe even apathetic. Sometimes, unknowingly, swarmed with poisonous thoughts of contempt for the outside world.

So what can we do?

Invite knowledge and experience. Choose to be a learner instead of pretending to be an expert. When we choose to isolate ourselves and insulate our thinking from a world of differences we deprive ourselves of the strength and beauty that can be found in diversity.

I’ll be the first to admit, this isn’t always easy. But a lack of comfort and confidence in my own understanding of how the world works opens a window of opportunity. One filled with three elements to help solidify my understanding of how the world works best: humility, empathy, and grace.

Inviting others to share their stories takes the spotlight off of self and waives the privilege that assumes we should be the one to hold the microphone; that’s humility. Hearing the ebbs and flows and highs and lows of others’ experiences allows us to connect emotionally and attempt to understand; that’s empathy. To allow our thinking to be reshaped by the principle that every life matters so that it propels us to act on others’ behalf is a gift; that’s grace.

My hope in all the turmoil experienced in our world today is this; that the gospel would shine through the darkness of the sin-stricken evils of our day. That ignorance and apathy would be apprehended by the virtues of wisdom and kindness.

The gospel is not some philosophy or set of ideals; it’s the story of redemption. It’s not religious jargon or a moral code. It’s the story of how one person changed the world. His name is Jesus, and He expressed humility, empathy, and grace to change, to save, the world.

Humility; He left heaven for earth. Rather than remain seated on a throne above us, He came and dwelt among us. Empathy; He felt the weight of the consequences of our sin. He shared the experiences of grief, sadness, and pain with those around Him. Grace; He offered His life for ours. His salvation is a gift that we could never manufacture on our own.

So, today, we stand. We sit. We listen. We speak. Whatever seems appropriate, in wisdom and truth, we do what’s necessary to let the light shine through. Not just any light; the light of the gospel!