Different doesn’t mean divided. Have you noticed how divided our country is becoming these days. Maybe it has always been like this and I’ve just ignored it or not paid that much attention since it didn’t affect me personally. There are so many lines being drawn. And it’s bigger than racial tensions that have set our country into uproar. Just to be clear, I am not discounting racial tensions at all and fully support the peaceful efforts being made to address the discrimination I know exist in our country and city. Black lives do matter! There is just so much finger pointing, so much blame, so much judgement. And the thing is, I sit here writing this, knowing I’m guilty. Guilty of drawing lines, judging, criticizing and then doing nothing. But God – don’t you just love those two simple words? “But God” has been doing some convicting on my rebellious heart, teaching me hard but important lessons about division and what it does to our community of faith. The thing He has shown me, the ONE thing I keep coming back this truth- we all (regardless of the color or our skin, our profession, our stance on social distancing or political parties, etc.) have-

ONE Father,

ONE God,

ONE Savior and

ONE Hope. 

We are all different, made that way on purpose by our divine designer (Psalms 139:13-14). Each and everyone of us is specifically and intimately designed by our Creator. He gave us different colors of skin, hair and eyes. He made some of us short and others tall. He gave some of us street smarts, while others got book smarts, some of us are writers, painters, leaders or athletes. Some of you have amazing musical abilities, while I can barely clap on beat. I could go on, but I think you understand my point. We may look different, act different, or think differently than our friends, neighbors and coworkers but if we call ourselves Christians – then we share something vitally important – Our Savior! And make no mistake, there is Only One Jesus! This means we are all one big family. So regardless of which side we agree with or think is right, when we call ourselves a Christian that has to mean something. We are called to love our neighbors – every single last one of them (John 13:34-35), not just the ones we agree with. Brothers and sisters in Christ – we MUST be better! In fact we are called to be better. We are called to encourage, not judge or tear down. We are called to share, not store up for ourselves. We are called to use our gifts, abilities, and voices to serve our One Father. We are called to obey God. We are called to live differently and be holy (1 Peter 1:15-17). We are called to go and tell and make disciples (Matthew 28:19). And we are called to pray, because none of us has the power to make a difference on our own.  Bottom line – we are called! (1 Peter 2:9-10)

Don’t get me wrong here, I know so many of you understand these things. One of the many things I have been convicted of is that knowing and doing are two different things. Maybe like me, you are thinking “yeah, I get this but what can I do?” My friend Kyla, a young black woman, said just last night “use your voice and influence to talk to people like you, because people understand and connect with people who are more like themselves” Wise words don’t you think?! 

Two questions occupy my thoughts. They are more than likely questions you have heard before. They are very simple to ask, but harder to answer. 

If not us/me then who? 

And if not now then when? 

We have got to stop living in fear, stop believing that we can’t do anything or that our meager effort will not make a difference. We have to stop making excuses and worrying about what others may think. Please don’t misunderstand me here – I’m not saying we should knowingly and purposely offend or hurt others, but the truth is we are we will never be able please everyone. Our focus and priority needs to be pleasing God. We are all different and I believe created that way on purpose. I can not truly understand you or your life anymore than you can understand mine. We all have different upbringings, different histories, different influences, etc.. It is not my place to judge those differences but embrace and accept them. And I would ask that you do the same for me. Instead of judging and making assumptions, what if we ask questions and strive for understanding. Instead of becoming hyper critical, what if we acknowledged and embraced our differences. Instead of living in fear and doubting we can make a difference, what if we obeyed God and used our gifts, talents, abilities and voices to share His love with everyone around us?  There is this quote “all you need is 30 seconds of courage”, why not give it a try. That is basically why and how I write – I believe God has placed these words and this call on my life. And He alone provides me with those 30 seconds of courage needed when it comes to hitting that share and submit button! 

Relationships can be hard. Families can be hard. Life can be hard. But if we, as a body of believers work, talk, stand and pray together, trusting in our One Savior, a difference can be made. Dividing walls can be torn down, differences at every level can be embraced.

What if we as Christians, refuse to let the enemy gain any further ground by choosing sides. What if we came together and prayed? I think we can all agree that our nation is hurting, our church (big C church) is hurting, our friends and neighbors are hurting. The Bible tells us that where two or three are gathered in his name, Jesus will be there with us (Matthew 18:20). So I’m asking will you gather and pray? Pray with your family, pray with your friends, pray with your neighbors, pray with people that have a different color of skin than you, pray with your church. Need someone to pray with – hit me up, I have a flexible schedule and plenty of time.

Let me leave you with a well known quote from the book of Esther 4:14 “If you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father’s family will be destroyed. Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.” Relief and deliverance will come for our country from somewhere – it’s on us as Christians to step up and be a part of the solution.

Perhaps this is your time – what are you going to do with it? As for me, I’m going to go and do and live. Not for myself but for the One who made me and saved me – Jesus my Savior!