I’ve been feeling a tug to write about racism for a number of months now. But I shied from it. I mean, I’m white. How can I write about racism? But, as we celebrated the great Martin Luther King Jr yesterday, the thoughts returned to me and just wouldn’t let go.

I grew up in New England where racism isn’t as rampant as other areas in America. Then again, the average population was primarily white. So, perhaps I just never had opportunity to see it. Or, perhaps I was too young to understand. I just knew that the black boy in my kindergarten class was just another kid.

It wasn’t until I got older and was forced to learn the history of the United States that I realized racism was a problem.

My only real experience with racism was in high school (over 20 years ago now). I had a mulatto friend. Her skin was a beautiful color that I envied against my red and white mottled skin. We were walking through the halls at school one day and some kid I didn’t know said the N word as we passed.

I was incredulous. No way did he say what I thought he said. Hoping I’d misheard, I asked, “What did he say?”

But even as I asked, shocking as it was, I knew what I’d heard. Rage boiled within me and I turned to respond (I was easily angered and pretty bold in those days).

My friend told me it was nothing and, knowing I’d likely punch the guy, pulled me along away from him.

It infuriates me to this day. I forgive the guy, whoever he was. I don’t want to harbor hate in my heart even if my flesh thinks it’s justified, but his ignorance and hatred toward someone he didn’t even know still enrages me to this day.

I can’t imagine living like that. This was just one relatively minor incident in the grand scheme of things. And it wasn’t directed toward me. My heart breaks for those who live like this every day. It’s not right. I can’t imagine never knowing when you’re going to come across some ignorant piece of … (sorry … time to settle down. My flesh is starting to show).

Moving on …

Again, this is why I hesitated to write on racism. I’m white. As much as I want to understand, I don’t. I cant. We all have different experiences. Different hurts. Truly, there is only one who can fully understand. Check out my post He Knows for more on that.

What it really comes down to is this: I hate injustice. I hate when people are mistreated…period. I hate when people are disliked for their nationality or the color of their skin. I hate when women are undervalued or treated as meat. I hate when people with disabilities are overlooked. I hate when children are treated like they don’t matter. I hate when people actually believe they’re superior to anyone for any reason.

While I appreciate attempts to combat these issues, I hate when the pendulum swings too far in the opposite direction and white men miss job opportunities because the company needs to hire a minority. I hate when men are treated as if they’re inferior to women.

As I said, I hate injustice.

You know who else hates injustice? God.

“Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—both are detestable to the Lord.” – Proverbs 17:15

“Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.” – Romans 12:19

He hates another form of injustice: favoritism…

“For God does not show favoritism.” – Romans 2:11

“But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.” – James 2:9

He loves justice.

“For I, the Lord, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them.” – Isaiah 61:8

“Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.” – Proverbs 21:15

“Turn from evil and do good, and you will live in the land forever. For the Lord loves justice, and he will never abandon the godly. He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will die. The godly will possess the land and will live there forever.” – Psalm 37:27-29

“The righteous despise the unjust; the wicked despise the godly.” – Proverbs 29:27

But here’s the thing … in some way, shape, or form, we’ve all shown favoritism. None of us is completely impartial. None of us follows the golden rule 100%.

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. – Matthew 7:12

And none of us follows the two greatest commandments 100%.

“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:36-40

We are all flawed. We’ve all hurt someone whether intentionally or unintentionally.

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” – Romans 3:23

If we really want justice served, we’re asking for God’s wrath to come down on ourselves. Personally, I don’t want that … though I deserve it. I’d rather receive His mercy.

“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” – 1 John 1:9

I’m not suggesting we turn a blind eye to injustice. God doesn’t suggest we do that. But, if we want to change this world, we need to stop pointing fingers and look to ourselves first. How are we unjust, unloving, unkind? How can we improve? It starts with us, then spreads through our families, to our communities, and, hopefully, the world. But we can’t change anything without first stopping the blame game and recognizing that we’re part of the problem. Then, with the help of the Holy Spirit changing our hearts, we can impact the world as Dr. King did…in a spirit of peace, motivated by love. We don’t have it in us to do this ourselves. We need the power of the Holy Spirit.

“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” – John 14:26

Like the late, great Dr. King, I have a dream. I dream of a world where everyone follows the golden rule and treats others as they’d like to be treated. I dream of a world where everyone loves God above all else and their neighbors as themselves.

Imagine such a world.

Those of us who have accepted Christ as our Savior will see this world. It’s mentioned in the book of Revelation. I wish I’d see this world here and now, but this is not our home. This is a test to prepare us for our true home. So, my brothers and sisters in Christ, let this world be our training grounds. Battle your flesh and practice daily. Pray that God’s will would be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).

If you don’t know Christ as your Savior, I pray that you will. Check out my Get Saved post in which I walk you through it. And let me know if you accept the offer He gives to everyone. I’d love to welcome you to the family of believers and spend eternity with you in heaven.

There are so many people I’m looking forward to meeting. Great heroes of the faith, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, C. S. Lewis, Corrie Ten Boom… But most of all, I look forward to an eternity with my God, my Savior, and my brothers and sisters in Christ in our new and improved sinless bodies in complete paradise.

I hope to see you there.

So, let’s stop living in the past. Who wants to relive hurts? Not me. And blaming others just feeds roots of bitterness. There are bitter, angry, hurtful, ignorant, cruel people in this world. Don’t be like them. Pray for them. God loves them too.

“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” – 1 Peter 4:8

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?” – MLK

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – MLK

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – MLK

“The time is always right to do what is right.” – MLK

You are loved,

J F Rogers