I attend Southside Church of Christ in Little Rock, a predominantly black congregation right in the heart of southwest Little Rock. A big change from my normal context, so to speak. In the midst of this context change, I found something. In my last post, I talked about waking up zombies. I was a zombie. I was redundant in faith and couldn't escape the sinfulness of bland affection. That's where Southside comes in. On my first week, my heart of faith started beating again as I found not a congregation, but a family. Inside this family, there's intense joy and heartfelt devotion. I couldn't take a breath inside the door without a set of arms wrapping around me in love. I remember someone telling me "You come once, you're a visitor. You come again, you're family." How amazing is that. As I've been there now for nearly 5 months, I learned a lot of things about a completely different culture, a church culture.
In Luke 16:19-31, you can recall the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Lazarus had a life full of pain and suffering while the rich man had all the treasures he could find. But then the day came where it was time for the rich man to feel the hottest flames and Lazarus to get his reward. Specifically, in verse 26, it says "And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us." They were separated and neither could reach the other. It wasn't until I placed membership at Southside did I realize that there's a great gulf in our church today.
Racism. The single word that can make my blood boil and my stomach knot. I hate racism and everything that stands for it. You're not gonna hear everyone make racist remarks, but you can see the ugly snarls and discerning eyes of judgement every time a black person walks in the room. How disgusting. Since when did it matter what color people were? Short answer: it doesn't. Never has, never will. And let me make a call to you. If you think black people are so terrible, remember that I would rather be in a black congregation any day. You aren't as amazing as you think you are, so let me make you a humble pie and I'll cut you a slice or two. We are called to love, and unite. God will not be happy when he sees that you just couldn't look past skin tone.
In Southside, I see God-fearing people. I see active worship. I see the mission of God coming alive. I see a family that loves. I see communion that matters. I see brothers that help. I see prayers that work. I see faith that lives. I hear songs that mean something.
Please consider joining me. I wish to raise a generation of people who are color blind, not judging someone by what color, or ethnicity they are. What language they speak, or where they came from. Let's raise a generation that decides whether they like someone based on their person, and who they really are. This is what Christ sponsors. Won't you join me?
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