My blindspots have been exposed.
Things I did not know and things that I could n0t see prior to George Floyd’s murder, I now know and I now see. Though I am sure there is so much more that I am still not aware of, I do want to be a good steward of what God has been gracious to show me by processing and sharing the following thoughts.
BLINDSPOT #1 - Appreciation for black culture is not enough. Commitment to improving the black experience is what’s necessary.
I was blind.
I wrongly assumed that my deep love for Black people, African-American studies, soul food, funk and R&B music, Air Jordan’s, and grape soda (I love grape soda and obviously add that to the list tongue-in-cheek) was enough. It isn’t. It is entirely possible to truly love all of those things and be void of any real commitment to improving the experience of those who created the culture I so often immerse myself in.
Appreciation is great. Advocacy is better.
Thank you Jesus for opening my blind eyes.
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. Proverbs 31:8-9
BLINDSPOT #2 - Reality of a multi-ethnic church is not enough. Commitment to becoming an anti-racist church is what’s necessary.
I was blind.
I wrongly assumed that my accomplishment of pastoring a multi-ethnic, multi-generational church in the city of Oakland was enough. It’s not. It is entirely possible and, also very likely, that though there are people from various ethnic backgrounds in a church, partiality can still be very present and often practiced. This was surely the case in my church.
Diversity is great. Determination to eradicate all forms of personal and corporate racism is better.
Thank you Jesus for opening my blind eyes.
Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. James 2:8-9
BLINDSPOT #3 - Emphasis on gospel centrality is not enough. Commitment to racial equality is what’s necessary.
I was blind.
I wrongly assumed that preaching salvation through faith alone, in Christ alone, by grace alone was enough. It wasn’t. Though the gospel is sufficient enough for salvation, for sanctification, dots must be intentionally connected. It’s entirely possible to preach the gospel in all it’s beauty and not achieve racial reconciliation.
I don’t just preach the gospel and expect people to give generously—I connect the dots. I don’t just preach the gospel and expect husbands to love their wives sacrificially—I connect the dots. I don’t just preach the gospel and expect Christians to live missionally—I connect the dots.
When it comes to speaking against racial injustice why are pastors, myself included, so quick to say, “We just need to preach the gospel.”? We aren’t this intellectually lazy when it comes to other areas where we desire to see the fruits of repentance, why are we lazy in this one?
Gospel preaching is great. Gospel preaching that results in a passion for and action towards racial reconciliation is better.
Thank you Jesus for opening my blind eyes.
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. James 1:22
BLINDSPOT #4 - Pursuit of incarnational living is not enough. Commitment to living a crucified life is what’s necessary.
I was blind.
I wrongly assumed because I desired to listen, learn, weep with those who weep and mourn with those who mourn, I was living as Christ commanded. There’s so much more. It is entirely possible to live incarnationally yet avoid dying to your flesh. Walking a mile in another person’s shoes is a great start, but truly following Jesus requires death.
I must crucify all inequitable forms of my leadership. I must crucify justifications for micro-aggressions in my speech and actions. I must crucify my traditions and paradigms of thinking that are unhelpful and irrelevant. I must crucify unhealthy forms of nationalism. I must crucify my preference for personal comfort over my acknowledgement of corporate sin. I must crucify my need for receiving affirmation before receiving correction. I must crucify pre-conceived notions of who God can use to speak truth into my life. I must crucify excuses, passivity, negligence, and fear of man.
Incarnation is great. Crucifixion is better. Because, then and only then is resurrection possible.
It’s so crystal clear to me now. Before I ever experience the “resurrection” of an anti-racist family, church, city, or world, much needs to be crucified in me…first.
Thank you Jesus for opening my blind eyes.
If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. Luke 9:23-24
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. John 12:24
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: Which of these four blindspots might be one of yours too? In a desire for God to reveal your blindspots regarding living and leading during these times would you be willing to pray the following prayer?
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! Psalm 139:23-24
