I imagine that, like me, you have been greatly disturbed by the resurfacing of racial tensions in America following the tragic death of George Floyd in Police custody.
How, in our so called “enlightened world”, is it that these prejudices continue to be passed on from generation to generation? Why does it take so long for wrong attitudes to change?
I am reminded of Micah 6:8 (NIV) “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”
God requires us to lose our selfish pride and to find a way for justice to be achieved at the same time as showing mercy. This is no easy thing and takes great discernment; God given discernment.
Whilst it is easy for any one of us to get angry at such prejudice and to point an accusing finger, it is also an opportunity for us to ask the Holy Spirit to show me the inevitable unconscious bias (prejudice) I have towards other people.
Then, duly humbled, let’s set out to start to overcome that prejudice by deliberate acts of kindness. As Nicky Gumbel said in the Bible In One Year for today, “Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly and most underrated agent of human change. When kindness is expressed, healthy relationships are created, community connections are nourished and people are inspired to pass on kindness.”
Phil