What Do You Have?

Listen. I don’t have a big platform in which I can speak. I do not get involved in political issues nor try to argue with people about what I think, especially on social media of all places. I do however have this little blog in which I speak from my heart, share my experiences of Christ’s grace and love that He has poured over me, more times than I can count, and none of which I deserved. On this little blog, I felt I should speak up about as to how I feel Christians, myself included, should respond to what’s going on in our world. This is not a political issue to me, this is a human issue, a heart issue. There isn’t a law to pass, or a person in office that can change your heart, only God can do that, and you have to let Him. You have to search your own heart and your own resources. What do you have?

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you. ‭‭

Proverbs‬ ‭3:27-28‬ ‭

Who is your neighbor? Is he black? Is she white? Are they a biracial couple like me and my husband? Are their kids people of color like mine are? Do you smile, wave, make niceties, or do you completely avoid those around you, especially those that don’t think, act, and look like you? All are equally wrong if when the time comes to help them, you do nothing. What do you have that they need? As a follower of Jesus, as a Christian, I don’t always have everything, but I have all that I need. With having Jesus to accept me into His family and kingdom, not because I deserved it, but because I accepted the gift of grace of His life that He gave for me, for us all, I have a responsibility to share that gift, that love, and grace with those that need it. Right now our black friends need us. I don’t have the answers, I don’t have the justice to give to right the wrongs, I don’t have a big, important platform, or even the right words to say, but I have Jesus. Our world needs Jesus, our black friends, white friends, and POC need Jesus, our neighbors need Jesus, I need Jesus.

Jesus came to us all, not to a select group of people, not for those that deserve it, TO US ALL. If you have accepted Him into your heart, then you know in your heart what to do during this time that is so sensitive, uncertain, heartbreaking, and hard.

1. Search your own heart. Start there.
   The Bible says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalms‬ ‭139:23-24‬ ‭Pray and ask God to show you any biases or prejudice that might be there. Repent, which means to turn away and go a different direction completely leaving anything wicked and displeasing to Him behind (and in case you were wondering, racism, prejudice, judgement and biases are all wicked in His eyes).
   
   
2. From your heart, move to action in your home and in your family.
   Have the conversations with your family and kids about God’s love for everyone and about how the color of a person’s skin should NEVER determine how to treat anyone. Teach your kids how to have good character and be the heart of Jesus, loving others regardless of their race, background, opinions, or even their choices. Jesus didn’t discriminate against anyone in one single way and neither should you. Despite even the wrong doings of others, Jesus offered love, acceptance, and forgiveness.
   
   
3. Next, move on to your circle of influence and to your friends.
   Call out racism and cut it off at the root. Address it immediately. The word also says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans‬ ‭12:2‬ Clearly our world and culture has a problem with racism. You can not love and follow Jesus and look like the world, you must look different, you must do better, you must not allow racism among you.
   
   
4. Lastly, look to help the world, to your neighbor to give what is needed.
   Who is your neighbor, you might ask? This question reminds me of a familiar parable in scripture in which Jesus himself clearly answered the question.

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Luke‬ ‭10:25-29‬ ‭

Jesus goes on to tell the story of a Jewish man that was robbed, beaten, and left for dead on the side of the road. A priest passed by, yet left the man and did not help. A temple assistant passed by as well and followed suit. No help from either. Finally a Samaritan, those known to openly be hated by Jews and have nothing to do with them in any way, chose to stop and help the man left for dead. He bandaged up his wounds, took him to an inn and paid for the man to stay and be taken care of until he was healed. Jesus concluded the parable with, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke‬ ‭10:36-37‬ ‭

Your neighbor is whoever is in need. You are commanded to be a neighbor by helping those in need, not who society tells you to help or not to help. I’ll say it again, right now, our black friends need us. Don’t withhold what they need. Each of us has something different to bring to the table. As Christians, all of us have the love of Jesus that we are called to share. Go and do likewise. Do your part. Speak up for those that can’t speak for themselves. Start in your own hearts and then start having the conversations, uncomfortable or not, to help bring change for those in need. Jesus didn’t call us to be comfortable. He didn’t share His love with you, forgive you, and set you free for you to keep it to yourself. He wants us all free. Who am I that I have received so much grace that I can’t share it with the world. What do you have to give? Have you accepted the grace of God? Who are you to receive grace and not give it? Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due. Give love, give help, and give grace to those in need.

Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.

‭‭John‬ ‭1:16‬ ‭