We ended Part I with the following: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs Dr. King repeatedly, boldly shared, we are all equally created by God.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n That was the message from Dr. King. However \u2014 and <\/em>this is key<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 some people miss the \u2018created equal\u2019 part \u2014 others people miss the \u2018by God\u2019 part. People too often omit one or the other. Therein lies one of the biggest challenges to the issue of racial reconciliation\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n If we want to follow the encouragement of Dr. King, we must seek the way of God; we must recognize that God is the Creator of the equal status.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Too many of us, too often, think we can resolve and reconcile absent any seeking of the way of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I get it. Huge topic. But my desire is healing and solution \u2014 what will actually work.<\/em> So how can God help us? Where do we start?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The reality is that God\u2019s wisdom and good news is available for any who seek him. With him is the only <\/em>place where each of us is fully accepted and truly belong. We don\u2019t have to be perfect; we just have to be us. But let\u2019s face it; this is indeed a pretty huge topic; many of us have inactive relationships with God; some of us may not be sure how we even feel about him. And we\u2019ve seen some who\u2019ve gone before us behave in harsh, unattractive ways. So how can the Creator of the universe \u2014 the Creator of us <\/em>\u2014 help us move forward in a positive way?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s start by asking some relevant questions\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n First, who do you spend time with? Do your friends all think\/look\/act\/vote like you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n In fact, did you know that 75% of white Americans have no non-white friends \u2014 and 67% of black Americans have no non-black friends?<\/p>\n\n\n\n That seems way more divided than God ever intended or designed, especially when the historic scriptures speak of future huge crowds \u201cfrom every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages.\u201d That kingdom diversity is beautiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet it makes me wonder how the way we view the world would change if we interacted more with those who were different than us. My sense is that each of us would see racism differently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Secondly \u2014 and sincerely \u2014 when we see injustice, are we willing to speak up?<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m not suggesting we scream and shout or hastily tweet, type some denigrating Facebook post. But one of the things I\u2019ve poignantly learned from my friends of color is that silence is noticed. Could we each encourage one another to respectfully speak up? Be prudent \u2014 not rash \u2014 no slander, as targeted toward the young men standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial last week. But let\u2019s ensure our voices are heard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And thirdly, what specifically more can we do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Allow me to humbly share the keen encouragement of a wise friend\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe seeking more about God is not a priority for you. Maybe it\u2019s hard \u2014 hard to trust or recognize how good he is. I get it. Life\u2019s a journey and not always easy; we can be pretty self-dependent, and it takes time to build a relationship. But here\u2019s the thing\u2026 in order to bridge any gap in need of deep-rooted reconciliation, we need something bigger than we; we need copious love, grace, forgiveness, selflessness, humility, hospitality, respect, patience, and awareness that all are indeed created equal and belong. God\u2019s gospel message is the only teaching that provides such wisdom, as no human way of thinking comes consistently close. It doesn\u2019t last. It doesn\u2019t work. Remember: we are seeking what actually works.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Seemingly over the last several decades, no less, we have lost our awe of God. We have forgotten how much we need him. We have forgotten his greatness and grandeur\u2026 and we have thus neglected to tap into his wisdom, especially places like here when we need it most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With all due respect, isn\u2019t it time to latch onto that which could actually heal us? \u2026 that which we need most?<\/p>\n\n\n\n That was the message of Dr. Martin Luther King.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Let us each humbly start there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Respectfully\u2026 always\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n AR We ended Part I with the following: \u201cAs Dr. King repeatedly, boldly shared, we are all equally created by God. That was the message from Dr. King. However \u2014 and this is key \u2014 some people miss the \u2018created equal\u2019 part \u2014 others people miss the \u2018by God\u2019 part. People too often omit one or … <\/p>\n
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