WHAT CAN I DO?

Now for the hard part…

Let His Kingdom Come, and His Will Be Done on Earth as It is in Heaven

This is what we pray. What would the realization of God’s kingdom look like in the context of our country’s present social challenges as the body of Christ fills everything in every way? We are in position right now to collectively make a difference, as each part does its work. But, how do we do our part in the fulfillment of God’s plan?

We already know what to do. How from infancy we’ve known the Holy Scriptures*. We only need to do it, keep doing it, and realize that what we know applies to every situation. God’s Word in action, through us, has an impact on any subject matter we direct it towards.

Perform Your Kingdom Job (and actual job) Well and Earn the Right to be Heard

We have these sayings in ministry, “You have to earn your right to be heard” and “No one care how much you know unless they know how much you care”.

As we are careful not to live as unwise, but like those who are wise (see Ephesians 5:15); as we execute our Family responsibilities while embracing our Family values of love; as we are mindful to stay away from that which in not in our kingdom job description, we earn the right to be heard.

• Whatever your industry or whatever your role, do it to the best of your ability as though you’re working for the Lord, not for human masters (Colossians 3:23).
• Be “‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky” (Philippians 2:14-15).

When it is in Your Power to Act, Act:

• Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18)

• Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:10)

• Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. (Proverbs 3:27)

• “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices, God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16)

• Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. (Proverbs 31:8-9)

• The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Jesus, Matthew 25:40)

• So, do these things, “not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work”. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).

Be willing to share such things as opportunities, chances, knowledge, access, connections, and so on. This is what I saw done for me. They didn’t do it because of the color of my skin, gender, or ethnicity, but because they saw the potential in me; they saw me as God sees me through Jesus Christ.

Be Willing To Have Conversations With Those Who Do Not Look Like You

Proverbs 4:7 says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” The NIV Bible puts it, “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” We should make it a point not to be “ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding”* We do this by taking time to listen without judgment to the point of view of others.

There’s wisdom in a multitude of council*. The more you choose to get to know someone as an individual, and the more sides of a story you seek to learn, the more personal your own opinion becomes. You could be like Berean Jews spoken of in Acts 17:11; they didn’t just take Paul at his word, they checked the Scriptures to see for themselves what is there*. Then, you won’t be tossed around by every piece of information you hear. You can have your own understanding and personal experiences. You can ask the right questions and draw your own conclusions. Keep reading to find out what to do with understanding once you have it.

Acknowledge the Pain of Others

There are some instances (racial divides being one of them) in which empathy is just hard. I’m hearing even among college-age people that it’s difficult to see “why” the other side feels what they feel – white students don’t understand why black people are angry, and black students can’t understand why white people don’t “get it.” That disconnect has caused rifts in even long-time relationships. I have to admit, this has been the most challenging realization for me. I now question how far we’ve really come as country when the college-age, college-educated in our society can’t understand the reason behind what’s happening.

Unfortunately, there are some cases in which asking for empathy is just too much. The reality is, we could never truly know what it means to live in another person’s shoes. A better request in cases where we can’t empathize with one another is to simply acknowledge that your brother or sister feels what they feel and love them through it.

You don’t have to understand why someone is in pain to feel empathy for the fact that they are in pain. Take the following phrases for example: “I don’t know why you’re in pain, but I know what it feels like to be in pain, and that sucks,” or “I don’t know why you’re in pain, but I feel sad that you’re upset,” rather than, “I’m angry at you because you’re upset.”

Feelings can be agitated or deescalated depending on how they’re treated. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense” (Proverbs 19:11). We see tremendous examples of this in cities where officers have walked and knelt alongside protesters –officers such as Lieutenant Kevin Knapp, a former Georgia Tech football player.

We won’t always be able to empathize with one another, but we can acknowledge that we all feel. Acknowledge that those feelings are valid because they’re based on our own lives, experiences, or the lack thereof and vice versa.

When it’s NOT in Your Power to Act, Influence:

As we perform our kingdom and natural responsibilities (truthfully, they’re one and the same) on a daily basis, we position ourselves well with those in our immediate circle. We create a safe space and are better able to have the tough conversations when the time comes. See how Ester was able to save the lives of many people (Ester, Chapters 2-9)

Consider Your Sphere of Influence

The church is a collective organism that fills everything in every way (Ephesians 1:23). We are the yeast in the dough Jesus talks about in Matthew 13:33. Translation – we’re everywhere. There are followers of Christ in boardrooms, schools, neighborhoods and neighborhood associations, government, law enforcement, courtrooms, the grocery store, banking industry, restaurant industry, medical industry, entertainment industry, the highest offices in the land, and homes.

We sit on executive boards, report the news, own corporations, make business-decisions that impact lives, decide court cases, make laws and policies, draw boundary lines, screen applications, build, lend money, lease, provide jobs, create opportunities, sit at dinner tables, say yes, and say no.

Every person who sits in a seat of authority interacts with somebody every day. Given the length of time since the birth of the Christian movement and the number of people in America who identify themselves as Christian, there should be at least one Christian in the social circle of every leader and every individual. I don’t mean a pastor or vocational minister. I mean a neighbor, family member, co-worker, board member, supervisor, buddy, and so on. There are many leaders who themselves identify as Christian and have other leaders within their circle. If you are reading this and have received Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are the “at least one” Christian in your spheres of influence.

Be Willing to Have the Tough Conversations With Those Who DO Look Like You

This is what we do with the wisdom, understanding and influence we’ve gained. Having tough conversations with individuals who do not look like us impacts us. It expands our minds and opens up our understanding. Having the tough conversations with those who DO look like us, is where change starts to happen. Movements start from many small cells that grow exponentially.

You may not be the one who sits in the deciding seat of an organization (though some of you reading this do), you may not be the one writing, passing, and enforcing laws. You might not be the leader of an organization, but someone within your degrees of separation might.

“Catch For Us The Foxes, The Little Foxes That Ruin The Vineyards” (Song of Solon 2:15)

I don’t think that social change happens through the passing of laws, policies, and procedures alone. (Just take the bootlegging era for example). Laws may force change to the way things are done and how things look on the outside, but laws don’t change hearts. Legislation, policies, and procedures are all important; however they are enhanced when paired with conversations full of grace and seasoned with salt* within the privacy and comfort of our inner circles.

Change happens when we have the courage to ask the tough questions of the people we love – sitting around the dinner table, playing a round of golf, and sharing drinks and a laugh with us. We can effect change when we are able to: call each other out when we’re wrong, “correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2). When our friends and colleagues make inappropriate or side-ways remarks* about other people because of their race, gender, ethnicity, and so on, it’s okay to say, “That’s not cool,” or “That’s inappropriate,” or “Please don’t speak like that around me,” or whatever verbiage you choose. It’s a very simple non-offensive way to let those around you know that you’re not comfortable with certain types of speech or behavior in your presence.

When enough of us in the kingdom are doing that, it makes it very difficult for anyone to publicly endanger the life of another person without fear of repercussions. When enough of us raise the awareness within our personal relationships, our unsaved friends in HR may feel less inclined to screen a resume based on the name of the applicant; our associates in the banking industry may choose to reconsider the way they structure policies. The examples of opportunities to effect change go on and on.

Social victories in our country will be won through a combination of peaceful protests that raise awareness, legislations, and most importantly the conversations around the table with our family, colleagues, friends, and inner circles. Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ. (Ephesians 4:15)

Please, Don’t Be Afraid to Call it What it is

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9)

The problem with not calling something by name is that the issue will never get treated appropriately. Say a person has a brain tumor. If he tells himself, the physician and everyone around him, that he just has a headache, the individual will seek and receive treatment for the headache. Tylenol and Advil are not a cure for a brain tumor. If, however, the patient is assessed and is found to have a tumor, the physician can administer the proper (more extensive) care and heal the patient.

Yes, sin is the nature of man, but I’m concerned that if we continue to blanket every issue under one label of “sin,” we’ll write the big issues off as yet another thing that Christ will fix when He comes back here.  We won’t address it appropriately now.

There are different types of sin, and each needs to be addressed directly. Just ask anyone in your circle who’s received the saving power of Jesus Christ but still struggles with different types of temptation. Each challenge requires its own course of action from accountably to therapy in order to be healed. Racism in America is real, but so is bigotry, prejudice, bias, and just plain preference (note preference does not equal prejudice). Not every action that is not in favor of a person of color is racism. At the same time, the big problem of racism gets impacted when we make it a point to address the “smaller” issues as well. (Laws put a limit on racism. Our conversations at home put a limit on all the other “little foxes” that build up to racism).

Acknowledge the Risk

In case you haven’t noticed by now, this article is a request to help address the current issues plaguing our country. Protests and politics may get a lot of attention and bring awareness, but it’s our personal choices and actions that ultimately make the difference.

I don’t ask this of you lightly. I recognize there’s risk involved. Some people prefer not to have this conversation as all. Others may take offense when you censure their wrong. There’s the risk of losing a relationship, access, the semblance of peace, influence, camaraderie, opportunity, consideration, and so much more. I understand. I too am taking a risk by making my thoughts public.

You are in my circle, which is why I’m sharing this insight with you. You may choose to reject me or my work and never read another word I write. However, I would be remiss if I didn’t share what I believe God has been showing me. I have to take this small step of action and choose not to worry. It’s not about me. I have a responsibility to God and the diversity of people I’m so honored to serve. I have a responsibility to you as my brother or sister in Christ to do the same things I’m asking of you. I must practice what I say I believe.

Most all, I have a responsibility to our Father’s glory and the realization of His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. It’s a risk I have to take. I choose to do as Charles Stanley says, “Obey God and leave the consequence to Him.” After all, what would it profit me to gain the world yet lose my soul?*

We need to trust in faith when God’s word says:

• He will be with us wherever we go; (Joshua 1:9; Matthew 28:20; Psalm 139:7-12)
• That if we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness all of these other things will be added to us as well; (see Matthew 6:31-35)
• That Christ Jesus, the hope of glory, is in us today. (Colossians 1:27)
• We are ambassadors of Christ right now; (2 Corinthians 5:20)
• And like Him in the earth when we love. (1 John 4:16-17)
• We are the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way; (Ephesians 1:22-23)
• Through Jesus Christ, we reign in life. (Romans 5:17)

“The creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed” (Romans 8:19). We should start revealing ourselves correctly. If we have the courage to receive the truth in His word about who we are, live His word through the decisions we make, have the conversations, and do it all consistently, I believe we can invoke His kingdom come and His will be done on earth now as it is heaven. Isn’t that how we already pray as directed by Christ? (see Matthew 6:10). He could bring about His kingdom through us.

In Closing

My personal experiences with race relations has been mostly positive. I thank God for that. At the same time, I don’t know if I’ve ever not been extended an opportunity because of the color of my skin or if my resume’ was never reviewed because my name is not racially indistinct. I can’t prove that I’ve been overlooked. I don’t know if I’ve been offered a “pat on the back” in lieu of an invitation into mentorship or open doors because of what I look like. I cannot say for sure whether or not that has happed to me, but I do know that I live in a country where things like that do happen.

I believe we can start experiencing a little bit of heaven on earth today. I believe His kingdom comes, and His will is done when we, His children, take care of each other regardless of external differences that are wasting away*. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17)

I pray that at least some of this resonates with you. I welcome your thoughts and questions. Please feel free to call or email me. Let’s remember to keep praying for our leaders from President Trump, to our governors, our mayors, our business leaders and our pastors. (I would not love being in leadership anywhere else right now). I also pray for you as you lead your homes and businesses. May God bless and keep you and His Holy Spirit guide you in Jesus’ name.