It’s important to remember that Jesus is the driving force behind any real heart change.
We are each responsible to lean on Him for the fruit of the Spirit in our own journeys toward oneness and diversity in conversation with others. Each of us ought to lead and continue to learn in humility. Continue to refresh yourself in God’s Word, remembering His power is made perfect in your weakness and He is sovereign over all things. God reminds us:
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” — Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)
“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
Ask God to reveal areas in your life where implicit bias and racism still exist. Take Psalm 139 as an example of how to do this:
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” — Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)
God is in control. God is good. Continue to lean into hard conversations. Here are some resources to help you press on in your journey toward racial reconciliation.
HISTORY OF RACE IN THE UNITED STATES
ARTICLES:
Encouragement and the Fight for Justice by Melody Copenny (Cru)
The Chicken Came First by Thabiti Anyabwile
THEOLOGY AND RACE IN THE CHURCH
VIDEOS:
Must Every Church Be Multiethnic? with John Piper, Stephen Um and Trip Lee
How Churches Can Address Hidden Feelings of Prejudice and Racism with Jackie Hill Perry
ARTICLES:
The Gospel and Race by Aftyn Williams (Cru)
A Burden Removed: A Biblical Path for Removing the Racism of our Forefathers by Thabiti Anyabwile
LEARNING CULTURAL SELF
ARTICLES:
The Intercultural Development Inventory
BOOKS:
Reconciliation Blues: A Black Evangelical's Inside View of White Christianity by Edward Gilbreath
Beyond Colorblind: Redeeming Our Ethnic Journey by Sarah Shin
UNDERSTANDING THE EFFECTS OF RACISM IN MY LIFE AND SOCIETY
VIDEOS:
Right Color, Wrong Culture: Pursuing Multi-Ethnic Cultural Engagement with Bryan Loritts
ARTICLES:
Cultural Intelligence: Improving Your CQ to Engage Our Multicultural World by David E. Livermore
What Goes Through Your Mind: On Nice Parties and Casual Racism
BOOKS:
One Blood: Parting Words to the Church on Race and Love by John M. Perkins
RESPOND: LAMENT / REPENTANCE (Personal and Corporate)
ARTICLES:
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