Some people talk about racial diversity but all they see is a glass half empty. I look at racial diversity and see joy, wonder and even humor.
Our next door neighbors are African-American. They have been our neighbors for about twenty years. Last year, during the middle of Hurricane Irma (about 2:00 AM) I thought I heard a knock on our front door. I looked through the portal but couldn’t see anyone so I didn’t open the door, assuming it was just noise from the storm.
The next morning, after the storm had cleared, we went outside to access the damage and check on all our neighbors. In the course of conversation I learned my neighbor had come over during the middle of the storm (about 2:00 a.m.) and knocked on our door. I told her I thought I had heard a knock on the door during the storm and had looked out the portal but couldn’t see anyone. She then wryly replied, “Bradley, don’t you know it’s hard to see black people at night?!” In the midst of wondering whether or not it was okay to laugh, I suddenly burst out laughing. What I learned in a deeper way in that moment is that racial differences are not only good, but God intended us to fully embrace and enjoy his creativity.
A few weeks later we hired a crew to clean up our trees. One of the three guys was black. I told them the story of what had happened with my neighbor. The two white guys smiled, but the black guy grinned and burst out laughing. It clearly gave him joy. What a contrast to where many uptight American’s are today when it comes to race.
What God means for Good, people too often use to create division and strife—including many who claim the name of Jesus. We take our eyes off Jesus and then assume the worst of our brothers and sisters. We often try to shame them for being who God created them to be. We look at our world and let it influence our view of God, rather than looking at God and letting Him influence how we see our world.
Father forgive us, and then give us joy as we experience the diversity you created.
Genesis 1:31 “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.”
©2019 Brad Bright
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