My “status” on Facebook states, “Christy should get paid for how well she wastes time.” Tonight was no exception. I had every intention of writing a quick background summary regarding my leave of absence. However, I have spent the last five hours reading blogs, news articles, and (literally) hundreds of responses regarding Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama, and his speech last Tuesday on race. Some of those articles were:

I didn’t plan on writing a mini-diatribe when I started reading tonight. However, I think my job compels me to understand these issues. The reality is that all of us come to any event (speech, book, activity, etc.) with a particular bias due to our heritage, culture, traditions, education, socioeconomic status, religion, denomination, and yes … race. To assume otherwise would be naive. Few people even attempt to understand or appreciate different points of view within any of these categories because it will:

  • require effort,
  • make people uncomfortable,
  • cause both internal and interpersonal conflict,
  • challenge the status quo (whether personally, familial, church, or otherwise),
  • require a willingness to admit error,
  • provide an opportunity to offer or receive grace, and
  • involve change.

My post is not timely. The last several weeks have been distracting. The articles above will be difficult, frustrating, or even maddening, for some to read. However, it is never too late for both individual Christians and the church to consider our relationships, and to acknowledge the pain or fear of others. Too often Christians have trivialized similar issues as “merely” a political shenanigan, a ploy, an excuse or relegated these issues to particular churches, conferences, coalitions, etc.

Rather becoming embittered (on either side), the church must be willing to use political and social events as opportunities to study Scripture, reflect, and challenge our biases; especially when those opinions align more closely with a political or social party rather than Holy Scripture.

My question: What will it take for the average Christian in every neighborhood and community to speak and act as though all men (and women) deserve dignity as created images of God, that Christ’s death is sufficient for all creation, and that all fellow believers are family, brothers and sisters, in Christ (c.f., 1 John, Matthew 12:48-50, Matthew 22:37)? Will we even when it’s difficult, uncomfortable, or requires a huge amount of forgiveness or courage? Or will we get tired and return to our default mode of operation? Will I (or you) be the one to take a deep breath and hold out a hand?

How do we begin? …

… Borrowing the words of a friend … start small, start smart, but start now.

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