As we conclude our sermon series on racism this weekend, it is not an end, but a beginning. It’s time to invest ourselves in the transformation God seeks and God calls us to. It’s time to name the systems and policies that divide and marginalize; it’s time to educate ourselves about systemic racism in our country; it’s time to stop pointing fingers, and engage in introspection, identifying where we’ve fallen short. Courtney Ariel challenges: It’s time to “listen more and talk less”; it’s time stop using dismissive language e.g. “I can’t believe that something like this would happen in this day and age!”(it’s been going on for over 400 years). It’s time we “invested our time in educating ourselves”; It’s time to “stop talking about colorblindness” (people of color are crying out “See me”, see the beauty of my color). The time is now; It’s time!
Pastor and friend Jeff Raker wrote: In the crypts of Westminster Abbey, the following words were written on the tomb of an Anglican bishop who lived in the 11th Century: “When I was young and free my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But it, too, seemed immovable. As I grew in my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it. And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realized: If I had only changed my self-first, then by example I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed my world.” . . . Start with yourself and you will have taken the first step to changing your world.
It’s time for the Body of Christ to stand with all of God’s beloved. It’s time to partner with God for healing, wholeness and empowerment of those who have been marginalized and disenfranchised. May God’s blessings abound as we join in this kingdom work.
Through Christ,
Pastor Doug