The Great Divide
The world was put on pause for months in 2020 as we wrestled through the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many other African Americans spanning before and after their lives were lost, and we watched how divided our nation really is. We watched tirelessly as the news was full of challenges facing immigrants, such as lack of employment opportunities, access or medical services, and housing. 32% of Asian Americans live in fear of physical attacks, and 81% believe that the violence is increasing.[1] At the time of this writing, the eviction moratorium put in place due to the COVID pandemic is due to end, affecting up to 11.4 million adults behind in their rent.[2] Not only did the pandemic cause many to lose their jobs, but many reentry programs that help ex-offenders find work and assimilate back into society were halted completely. These closures meant that the released violator could not find work, hence could not pay any fines or fees associated with their release – not to mention maintaining employment could be a parole requirement, so not working would put them in violation. There are more marginalized groups I do not have time or space to address here, so I will stop here, but I think you get the picture.
All that sounds grim, and it is. However, what makes it more disheartening is what happens behind the scenes related to how people respond to each other in crisis. Each of the groups mentioned above has an unspoken ‘stigma’ about them that causes those not in that situation to not be as welcoming or accepting of those struggling. Quite frankly, some of them are our fellow Christians. Wait – before you say anything – no, I’m not accusing you of being mean or rude to anyone in the groupings above. I’m just saying that we as people have a way of not causing folks to ‘feel the love.’ And if scripture states that others will know that we are Christians by the way we love (see John 13:35), does your love stop with those that think like you, in the same economic standing as you, work the same type of job as you, those that ARE you?
Truth be told, some of us have been close to their position in some of these marginalized groups – or been there, period. The only difference is that we are where we are now, and we can make a difference. As believers, we should all try to put ourselves in another’s shoes before assuming we know how they are and how they feel. The Apostle Paul wrote about this in Ephesians 2. He was encouraging the Gentile believers that although their cultural background caused them to be called “the uncircumcised,” they are no longer outsiders but are reconciled with Christ and Jewish believers. It didn’t matter what their culture was, didn’t matter what they had done before – the common denominator was Christ.
Maybe you have never been homeless. Perhaps you have never been an ex-offender. Maybe you’ve never struggled with same-sex attraction. Just because you cannot empathize does not mean you cannot show God’s love. For example, instead of turning up your nose at a family of four who looks like they need a shower because they are homeless, have you considered getting a room for them for ONE night so that they feel like humans again? Can’t afford that? OK – how about buying them four McDonald Happy Meals and spreading them out ‘picnic style’ (complete with a daisy and vase in the center) on one of YOUR blankets for them?
You do not have to agree with their past or their present. But you do not have to cause a person to not feel worthy of God’s love due to their culture, lifestyle, or background. How can YOU show God’s love today to someone outside your circle?
Until next time…
[1] https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/04/21/one-third-of-asian-americans-fear-threats-physical-attacks-and-most-say-violence-against-them-is-rising/
[2] https://www.cbpp.org/over-1-in-7-renters-not-caught-up-on-rent-during-pandemic-with-renters-of-color-facing-greatest-3