I am musing about....
Awakening to Wokeness
Are you woke? Have you awakened to the realization that there is a new, or at least renewed momentum in our country dealing with historical racism, its interpretation and where that reality presently has us and is taking us?
Are you aware that Critical Race Theory is gaining momentum, even in the church?
Do you know what Critical Race Theory is?
Are you ready to admit that we all have things to learn, that no one has it all figured out, that deception is real and knocking at the door and that God's grace and Spirit is available to help us navigate these tumultuous times we are in?
So, where do I start?
With a prayer. "Dear Lord, please give me your wisdom and grace. Guide my words and my insights. Give me kindness and compassion. Help me to discern correctly and to always point back to you and Your Kingdom message. I realize I do not have this all figured out. I know I do not need to. But I have figured out that You are the answer to all that lies before us. And for this we say Thank you and we praise your Holy Name. May we be Your hands, feet and mouthpiece in this broken fallen world. May we proclaim your Gospel, providing hope and Truth! In the name of Jesus, Amen"
My understanding of wokeness is this. To have become aware of the role that racism or a racial hierarchy has played in our country and of its long term effects on minorities, specifically blacks. To not only be aware but to be sorry and forever indebted, to consistently try to right this wrong, to recognize white supremacy and the role that it has played, to undo the traditional system and to recreate a new system supposedly based on equality for all. It appears that by coming to this conclusion, one often finds themselves in support and justification of potential hate speech, vandalism, the rewriting of history, the suppression of whiteness and a culture of cancellation.
Wokeness goes beyond recognition and enlightenment to potential aggression and social action with an intentional focus and goal. If I understand correctly, CRT promotes a stance that all whites are by nature supremists and are thus in need of perpetual remorse and the carrying out of acts of reparation as a token of redemption for themselves because of the past societal wrongs of their race.
I think many of us can say that we have recently become more enlightened, been made more aware and have begun to become more compassionate and in tune to the plight of minorities, especially blacks. And this is a good thing. I do not think that anyone with an understanding of our nation's past could dispute the sins that our nation has committed.
Enter the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Can the Gospel speak to this situation? By all means. First and foremost the Gospel is one of repentance and redemption. It provides a way to move forward with grace and renewed focus.
God's Word states that "If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chron. 7:14
This beautiful verse of hope and instruction speaks perfectly for we Americans today. But may we also remember, that it was originally written in response to the nation of Israel.
It speaks to what we as a nation must do. We must repent. For all of our societal wrongs ( we have strayed so far, as a nation, from alignment with His Word), But then we must move forward, asking God for grace and wisdom on how best to proceed.
This will require deliberation, research, prayer and potential legislation. Let us be aware that this is not a new perspective, this idea of improving the lot for the underprivileged. Our country has tried to provide help in the past via the welfare system, hiring legislation and higher education enrollment measures to help level the playing field. The government set up "Opportunity Zones" in 2017 to assist with improving impoverished areas and conditions.
Blacks, whites and all races in our country have freedom to excel if they put their mind to it. The problem is that many are not encouraged to do that; to put their mind to it. Some are caught up in the ways of the welfare lifestyle and seem content to stay there. This is also true of all ethnic groupls including white families who come from backgrounds of poverty and dysfunction. Yet we recognize that there are also those individuals who desire to step up and out, but their circumstances and background keeps them pulled down.
I think we all can agree that the welfare system is broken. "Hand outs" are not the answer. Those who are "underprivileged" , no matter their race, need to be inspired and equipped to become all that they can be. They need to be lifted up, to be made aware of their potential and to be pointed to ways by which they can meet it.
There needs to be more inspirational speakers, more school reformation, more volunteer involvement, more grassroots participation, more involvement in the inner city schools and neighborhoods. The youth there need to be made aware of the pastures outside, that they too can climb the fence, open the gate and walk into greener meadows. And greener they are. May that be our "new green new deal" Somehow facilitating the pathway for those who have been suppressed in the past, to walk out and beyond, to step up and step forward. Into "greener pastures". How can this be done? We need to continue to brain storm and intentionally seek viable answers! We need elected officials in place to help promote this agenda.
And then there is we, the Church. What can the church do? Oh, so much! Are we willing to step up and say "Send me. Here I am. I will get involved. I will use my gifts. I will do my part to help, one or two, or in some cases one classroom or two, to take in a foster child, or adopt a vulnerable orphan, to be willing to mentor, teach a soft skill, teach a trade, invest in a soul! Are we as God's children ready to give of our resources; whether our finances, our time or our talents to help the cause of America's oppressed? For some it will mean moving deeper into the city. For others it will be moving our self across the street to knock on our neighbor's door. Some need to open their pocketbooks, others to clear their calendar and yet others to proclaim and inspire. I just got done listening to an inspiring podcast of how two ministries, one called Save Our Youth and another The Master's Apprentice are making such a difference in the lives of hurting kids. There is an amazing ministry making a difference in the inner city of Peoria called the South Side Christian Acadamy! If every inner city had a ministry like that, what a difference it would make!
Caucasians. May none of us of the Caucasian race, feel it is a sin to be white, for that is how the Lord made us. Society is trying to take us down, both mentally and otherwise. May we never feel superior or supreme, but humbly acknowledge that we have been blessed. Not because we are any better then our black neighbors, but historically our race has been blessed in ways, sadly, our black counterparts have not. The system was and is flawed, due to sin.
There is a concerning movement to label whites in a way that causes them shame. There is a movement to actually destroy and cancel our national past and then rebuild our country on a new foundation. This can not be healthy! But rather we need to promote change from the inside out, to proceed with greater intentionality. To learn from our mistakes. To celebrate the victories and the many accomplishments of our national past! Yes, our nation, in so many ways has been blessed by God! May we use our blessings to bless others, that they too can be blessed....in order to bless.
That is the beautiful way of Christ, the way of the church; to go forth with an evangelical approach. May we recognize that first and foremost we need to spread the Truth of salvation. May we recognize that helping the poor and impoverished and doing our part to promote social justice is all part of being Christ's hands and feet. But may we never lose sight that the "Gospel should never be secondary."
That is the beautiful purpose and meaning we all have in Christ. So different then those who promote a CRT perspective and lifestyle. Ours is a life of hope, redemption, and meaning; giving all glory to our Lord and Savior. We are motivated to share the hope of salvation for therein lies "the more abundant life" that God wills for all people. More abundant on Earth because of the peace and joy that comes from serving Him and more abundant in the hereafter as His people have the blessed reward of spending eternity in the glories of His presence.
What does the Word say? How does it respond to the situation our country finds itself in today?
Jesus says "I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly" John 10:10
Jesus says "I am the way the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the father but by me". John 14:6
Jesus said "The poor you will always have with you" Matt 26:11
Jesus said "Do good unto all men, especially those of the household of faith" Galatians 6:10
Jesus said "Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven." Colossians 4:3
Jesus said "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because he anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed." Luke 4;18
Jesus said "And ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free." John 8:32
The Bible tells us that we should "Be ready always to give an answer of the hope that lies within us with meekness" 1 Peter 3:15
Jesus said "My Kingdom is not of this world" John 18:36
And therein lays our Biblical world view. We are all about another Kingdom. It is not that we do not get involved in what is going on around us, for we do and we should. But always with the reality that the best thing we can do for others is to meet their needs while pointing them to Jesus and to the Truth of the Gospel. That which will ultimately "set them free." Free from this world of sin!
How did Jesus respond to the oppression in the world He was born into? He did not get involved politically. He responded individually with love and compassion to those He came into contact with. He shared a Gospel of peace and love. He spoke of a new Heaven and a new Earth. He did not come to free His people from the oppression of the Romans but from the oppression of sin. He came, unltimately, to give His own life, to take upon himself the "sin debt" of us all, that we can all believe and go free. Free from sin. Free to serve. In His name and for His glory!
And there it is. That is the oppression we need to recognize. Sin has been with us since the fall. National iniquity has been a reality of every nation since Adam and Eve emerged form the Garden. Read the Old Testament. Slavery, oppression and injustice are not new. They are part of a fallen world.
Who is to say that as Christians, the day will not come when we will be the minority? The oppressed? Indeed in many places in the world, this is sadly already the case. It may likely soon be our lot as well. The Word does not promise us a life here on earth devoid of these things. Rather it says "in this world ye will have trouble. But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33
So as Christians, may we seek God's grace, will and wisdom daily. Let us awake daily to the reality of the gift of the day, the opportunity to use it for His glory. For some He will lead us to make a meal, for other to heal the sick, for others to build a home, for others to right a wrong, for others to enact in congress, for some to write a blog, for some to preach the Gospel, and for all His children...to be a light in a dark and fallen world.
May we all take up the torch. May we not become deceived or taken in by the ills of our society. May we do our part to make it a better place. May we recognize the blessings we have been afforded, have compassion on those who have been oppressed and pray for the spiritual salvation of all.
Consider this reality. There was a poor black man enslaved to work in the cotton fields. He was beaten and mistreated. But he found his hope in Christ. He sang songs of praise and worship as he toiled under the harsh treatment of his Master. He loved his Lord and Savior. Then there was his Master; the plantation owner. Harsh, wealthy, selfish. He lived in luxury but was laden by sin. He was his "own god". Assuming they died in those states, which one would you prefer to be now?
That which is handed down from generation to generation which has true long lasting effects, is the heritage of the Gospel. Therein is our hope. Therein is the answer to all of society's ills. But we know that with this fallen world, society will remain broken till we all enter the new Heaven and the new Earth, when all will be made right and justice will finally reign supreme with Him who is Love; the creator and Savior of all mankind!
So Lord help us. May we as a church wake up to what is happening in our culture and how we can best serve in a truly awakened way!
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