Here we are, weeks into what seems like an endless sea of hard and heavy conversations on racism. Honestly, I feel as though I have had ALL the conversations with ALL the people. I have felt emotionally spent and very hopeful at the same time. I have had dear friends near and far reach out to check on me. They have prayed for me, listened to me, and empathized with me. They have searched their hearts and have asked genuine questions.
I’ve thought a lot about how Jesus lived and how we’re called to live as He did. At every turn, Jesus stood up for the poor, the outcast, the oppressed, and the marginalized. He did it with love, grace, and boldness. He used truth to challenge every status quo and to change the current narrative.
In John 4, Jesus has an encounter with the woman at the well. From start to finish, this encounter flies in the face of every social norm of the time. Samaritans were a mixed ethnic group and very well hated by Jewish culture. It was completely unheard of for a Jewish man, let alone a rabbi, to speak with a Samaritan. Jesus begins His journey by telling the disciples that He needed to go through Samaria. So, there in the middle of the day, He goes out of His way to talk with a Samaritan woman. He turns her world upside down by extending truth, grace, and love towards her. And then He uses that encounter to teach the disciples about whom He came to save and who is welcome in the kingdom of God.
In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus tells a parable about a man who was robbed and beaten and left for dead on the side of the road. Both a priest and a Levite saw the man yet avoided him by crossing the road. Then, a Samaritan saw the man and had compassion on him. He went over and above in caring for the wounded man. He bandaged him and paid for more care at a nearby inn. Jesus patiently taught the disciples about what it looks like to show mercy, even when it’s to our enemies.
I recently had dinner with a group of people at a literal round table. There were about ten of us. We were of different ethnicities, ages, and walks of life. Most of us were new to each other. Some of us were acquaintances, and some were good friends. This group had never assembled before, and yet the Lord had a beautiful purpose in mind for this gathering. Our gracious host was a lovely new friend of mine named Edie. She is in her early sixties and has such a huge desire for unity and love within the Body of Christ. She gathered us together in hopes of creating a safe space for us to process and for her to listen and learn from those of us with brown and black skin. We broke bread, shared communion, and had hard conversations.
My friend Bri, who just happened to be visiting at the time, was also at this table, and she shared truth filled with wisdom and revelation. She said that the kind of conversations we were having were best done around a table.
I couldn’t agree more! When I think of the early Church in the book of Acts, it says that they met in homes daily. They prayed, worshiped, broke bread, and I’m sure had all manner of conversations. I imagine there were opposing perspectives on life issues and interpretations of Scripture, those with questions and those with answers. There was probably agreement and empathy and even apologies over hurt feelings from those who sat at the table.
Creating space at the table doesn’t make issues, like racism, disappear. However, it does create an intentional space to have those conversations. The table becomes the place where we are all seen, heard and loved. We can learn and be educated in online spaces, and I believe the next best thing to do is to bring what we are learning to those tables among friends and family that are willing to learn and grow as well.
Bri also spoke of changing our mindsets from earthly perspectives to kingdom perspectives. We are citizens of heaven, but we forget this too easily and let earthly perspectives rule our hearts and minds. Through Jesus, we also have access to be in constant fellowship with God, and we can experience His presence here and now. By our words and our actions, we can also show others who God is.
As we keep renewing our minds, God’s thoughts become our thoughts. We begin to see others the way He sees them. We begin to love the things He loves. We begin to walk in unity with one heart and one mind. Isn’t that what we all desire?
I know I am not completely there yet. I am wrapped in human flesh that gets in the way sometimes.
But God is patient, kind, loving, and faithful. He is the author of salvation and redemption. He is light in the darkness and makes crooked places straight. He is the mender of all things broken. He is our Prince of Peace. He is the perfecter of our faith, and He is our soon and coming King.
Hard conversations are best done at the table, and we can take heart when they become uncomfortable and filled with tension. We have a God who is with us and who helps us along the way.
Have you had conversations about racism at the table — literally or figuratively?
What have you learned about God through them?
Leave a Comment
Michele Morin says
Thanks for this encouragement to fling wide the door for loving, open, and honest table gatherings.
Karina Allen says
Amen Michele!
Susan Long says
Yes, the best antidote for racism is seeing others as God sees. May this renewal of our hearts and minds be what we all intentionally seek daily. Think of the smiles that will result! Thanks for your words this morning!
Karina Allen says
Amen Susan! Thank you for reading and sharing!
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Karina,
I’ve had some open conversations with my black friends. I’ve asked questions. They’ve spoken. I’ve listened and learned. We’ve prayed for healing and thanked God for our common ground – love of the Lord. I think we often simply want to be heard and validated for what hurts our hearts. Interestingly, they do not support the extremism that is rising up with violence. Only love and humility will win out, not power and hatred.
May we all see others through the eyes of our Creator.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Karina Allen says
Amen Bev! That is so good! Having moments like you have had are the only way we shatter presumptions and get to know the heart of God’s image bearers. Thank you for reading and sharing!
Karen Knowles says
Wonderful post, Karina! I agree with Bev’s comments, as well. Violence is not the way. Peaceful dialogue such as we are having here will produce much better results. We have been members of multi-racial churches in California and now here in Missouri. It is such a blessing to be able to enjoy harmonious fellowship with people from all walks of life. We are all one in the Lord. Praying for peace and unity, not hate and division in our beloved country.
Karina Allen says
Praise God Karen! Thank you for reading and sharing!
Jerilyn Lupu says
I am thankful for the light I receive each morning from you. JERILYN
Karina Allen says
Thank you so much Jerilyn! That blesses me! Thank you for reading!
Lila Lambert says
so true…..and the word companion means to break bread with…..its all God nothing is coincidence but God-incidents….God bless are world and we begin to unite in love of Him…..
Karina Allen says
Amen Lila! I love that definition of companion! Believing for more and more love and unity! Thank you for reading and sharing!
Loretta says
It is often true that the things we accuse others of doing, we do by our accusations. We allow our pain to rule our heart and mind. If Christ had done that we would not have the cross to come to in our time of need.
We are a flawed people living in a flawed world. If we were all the same skin color and spoke the same language we would still find something to focus our anger and hurt feelings on. It is only when we humble ourselves before a forgiving God that we find what we were created for – community with God and therefore with one another.
I join my heart and prayers with all who continually look to the Father for guidance and love for all who are looking for answers and hope. God’s word tells us to pray for our enemies and for those in authority over us. It’s hard sometimes to do this very thing and yet if we are to follow the example of Jesus, then we must do exactly that. It does not say that we must agree with them before we pray for them. In fact the opposite is more than true. The more we disagree, the more prayer is required if we are to ever find common ground.
May God be with all through these times. The most loving thing we can do is to pray before we open our mouths. Stand firm in our faith and trust in the Almighty. This is our mantra.
Karina Allen says
Amen Loretta! So good and so true! Thank you for reading and sharing!
Ashley says
You are awesome Karina! I love how you have made the leap from learning online to getting together face to face and creating the opportunity to practice listening to each other as human beings. There’s just something to be said for putting down our devices and being together that is lost in our day and age. This message is too important. Thank you for sharing!
Karina Allen says
Thank you Ashley! I am all about having face to face conversations about hard topics. But, I think the Lord has brought a new season where people are more open to having them instead of just engaging with all of the noise online. Thank you for listening and sharing!
Becky Keife says
Love you, friend! This was so encouraging to read. Here’s to growing, listening, and learning through hard and holy conversations wrapped in God’s grace.
Karina Allen says
Yes and Amen Becky! Thank you for all of your love and encouragement! I love you!!!!
Dawn Ferguson-Little says
I have been a Childminder for 19 years don’t do anymore. I looked after a we boy with light brown skin. His parents were saved. I was saved then too. Skin color didn’t matter to his parents or me. We just loved either. I have a cousin she has mum who is white skin her Dad has sallow brown skin so she his sallow brown skin. We all in our families pass no remarks on my cousins skin color. Nor did the other kids of the of we boy I looked after when a Childminder with light brown skin. Nor did the other parents of the other kids who were all white skin. That is the way it should be in life. We should look beyond skin color. Aspect people for who they are not because of their skin color. Love them like Jesus does. Jesus expects us no matter what skin color we are we are all his children. Jesus loves us all. Why is any difference when we if are ill and in Hospital. We don’t care what colour skin the Doctor or Nurse has as long as they do their job and they make us well. If we are in Hospital ill. Then when we get out some of us start being offal about people who come from other countries with different skin color to our countries. We should not be saying any. But doing what Jesus would what us to do. Especially if saved to do at the table that is have prayer meeting and pray for them. As we don’t know why they wanted to come over to live in our country where we live. If we did we were them we probably want out too and try to make a better life for ourselves them for their families. Our is not to judge. Jesus wouldn’t want us to Judge. Jesus would want us to pray for them. We don’t know anything about them or what they went through in their countries. We are to do what Jesus would want us to do is have heart for them and help them if we can. Like in our Churches. Reach out to them through our Churches if we can. If we see them in the shop say hello to them say if can praying for you. I once saw Muslim family. I walked passed them. I said hello. They gave me the biggest smile ever. As people would just walk passed them and say to themselves they shouldn’t be in our country they should stay in their own. But we shouldn’t do or say that. Show you are the Church of Jesus the hands and feet of Jesus the true Church. By being kind to them. They are every bit as much a child of Jesus as you and me who are saved. Skin color don’t matter to JESUS. It shouldn’t matter to us. We should show kindness and love to everyone like it say in the word of God the Bible by the way we live or lives if true followers of Jesus. Love today’s reading. Love you all incourage. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little. XXX
Karina Allen says
Thank you so much Dawn for reading and for your insight! Blessings!
Nancy Ruegg says
I’m quite sure there are millions in this country who desire we “walk in unity with one heart and one mind”–people who do not agree that rioting, looting, arson, and harming others solve any problems; people who are not racist but live and work and worship and fellowship with those of different color. Unfortunately, attention is focused on the loud, profane voices and destructive behavior of a relative few, and those who seek to divide us rather than unite us. I saw a video on FB of a huge crowd gathered in one city for an outdoor praise-and-worship service, sponsored by a number of churches, with all races represented. It was a glorious sight. I’m praying that kind of gathering can be repeated all over the nation, inspiring a revival. Jesus is the only answer to what ails our country right now.
Karina Allen says
Thanks Nancy for reading and sharing!
Beth Williams says
Karina,
The media is biased. They only show us the riots & disagreeable people. There is very little mention of any good going on like police walking with protesters calmly. It is very hard to change preconceived notions. Many people may not have been taught the Bible or Jesus’s love for them. We need to stand tall & let them know that there is a God in Heaven who loves irregardless of race, color or creed. We need to stomp out racism & pour God’s love on this sin darkened world.
Blessings 🙂
Karina Allen says
Thank you for sharing Beth!
Rhonda Stoppe says
Karina thank you so very much for this insightful, heartfelt and powerful article. You have provided a much needed voice and biblical perspective that we are all aching to hear. I am so thankful for you friend. I pray God expands your territories and uses you to do exceedingly and abundantly above all you can ask or think to ask Him to do in this generation. Soli deo gloria.
Karina Allen says
Amen and Amen! I am treasuring these words deep in my heart! I love you friend! Thank you for all of your love and support!