The audience of this blog is geared specifically toward Caucasians like myself, who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior. I am writing out of my family’s experiences living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where my husband, my children, and I are of different skin tones, though we identify ourselves first as Christians.
The clay pot is a wonderful metaphor that God uses in Scripture to bring us to a better relationship with Him and other people. I have never worked with pottery, neither am I knowledgeable on the history of the church, or an expert in cross cultural studies. As we seek to understand the perspective coming from our brothers and sisters different skin tones than ours, I want to share my own thoughts and experiences as I have made many mistakes and hope that others can learn from them.
A year ago I would have agreed with anyone who said we shouldn’t have to think about skin color as long as we are thinking of everyone as equal through a “color blind” perspective. However, God has made us intricately and thoughtfully as well as creating us equal in importance, see Galatians 3:28 and Psalm 139.
Also, America has not started us off on an equal trajectory. As Americans now, living in the 21’st century, we have the responsibility make relationships and laws where all humans are worthy of equal citizenship and respect. We grieve the history of our country in excluding people’s rights and dignity based on color of their skin. In Nehemiah chapter 1, Nehemiah grieved for the sins of all of his people, though he may not have committed the sins personally. God told Nehemiah “‘But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored’” (verse 9).
My perspective is is influenced by my family and friends, conversations with Being the Bridge, books Color of Compromise and How to Fight Racism by Jemar Tisby, but the most insight is gleaned from the Bible. Feel free to message joysulungaime@gmail.com or leave a comment, I would love to hear your perspective as well.
Out of clay 