The Chasm Between the Black Race and Faith

I am grateful to have been born.

I am grateful to have been born black.

I am grateful to have been born a black woman.

I am grateful to have been born a black woman IN America.

I am grateful to have been born a black woman in America in a household of faith.

Many could say that these things are strikes against me. Over the years I’ve veered in and out of seeing it that way, but, today, I recognize that ALL of these things have made me who I am including the “strikes” that led to ill treatment that I’ve experienced at the hands of people who didn’t value me - including those within my race. From my friends parents making difference because I was black (telling their kids they couldn’t play with me - we were in Kindergarten)... and my 2nd grade teacher saying she didn’t know how to teach a black child (thankfully my mother was heavily involved in my education and didn’t let things like that slip by - valedictorian of my high school class)... to desiring to date outside my race and learning from the guys who were interested in me that their family just wouldn’t allow it. There’s a whole lot more in between the lines of all of these mentions and so much more that I could share, but I don’t want to take away from the real reason I’ve chosen to write.

Where is the line between believing that my life is of value to the point that I say BLACK LIVES MATTER and approaching the conversation of race with love, in love, and through Christ? Or is it all a distraction from something else going on in the world? Or is there a depth of spiritual warfare taking place that I can’t quite wrap my mind around?

I am a black woman in America who has faith in Jesus Christ. The chasm between the black race and faith is that the Bible has been cherry-picked by many to suit their own fleshly desires (you know, like slave masters using it as a means to have and control their slaves). The cherry-picking, no matter what generation you were born in, yields a people who either continue to serve Christ but still have questions about the validity of the Bible or those who stray away entirely. I can imagine them asking, “Are we serving the same God?” I’ve found myself asking that question over the years, and even now. As I’m typing, I’m reminded of someone who was abused growing up - by a parent who claimed to be a Christ-follower. The abuse didn’t match the message, and that parent made it a part of it. That abused child (who is now an adult) does not believe in Christ as a result. Even though I’m emphasizing the black race, I know this happens with people of all races. Undoubtedly, as it’s been stated by many... deeper than a race issue this is a sin issue.

I’d written a post comparing the lack of equal thought processing between the Black Lives Matter Movement and the Ku Klux Klan. I’d seen people call BLM a hateful ideology (because on the surface BLM is just trying to assist with equality for black and brown people), but I wondered why the same hadn’t been inferred from those same people concerning the KKK who is still active but more covert in operation. I later removed my post because I was made aware of the fullness of the BLM Movement ideology. Black lives absolutely do matter, but I will not align myself with that movement. If you’re reading this, do your research. I will not debate concerning this, but here’s one article that was shared with me: https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/did-you-know-black-lives-matter-supports-abortion-homosexuality-anti-family-agenda

You can agree or disagree, and we can still co-exist.😊

My husband is reading a book called “Woke Church: An Urgent Call for Christians in America to Confront Racism and Injustice”. Here’s a review: “Between the Christianity of this land, and the Christianity of Christ, I recognize the widest possible difference.” –Frederick Douglass, 1845

The prophets of old were not easy to listen to because they did not flatter.  They did not cajole. They spoke hard words that often chafed and unsettled their listeners. Like the Old Testament prophets, and more recent prophetic voices like Frederick Douglass, Dr. Eric Mason calls the evangelical church to a much-needed reckoning. In a time when many feel confused, complacent, or even angry, he challenges the church to:

Be Aware – to understand that the issue of justice is not a black issue, it’s a kingdom issue. To learn how the history of racism in America and in the church has tainted our witness to a watching world.

Be Redemptive – to grieve and lament what we have lost and to regain our prophetic voice, calling the church to remember our gospel imperative to promote justice and mercy.

Be Active – to move beyond polite, safe conversations about reconciliation and begin to set things aright for our soon-coming King, who will be looking for a WOKE CHURCH.

What I’m learning from all of this is the need to be vigilant about what I allow into my eyes and ears, and that can be difficult to do in this age of overwhelming information. What’s TRUTH?

Do your research.

Let the Holy Spirit be your comfort and guide.

There’s SO much that I want to say... SO many directions this can take... but... this is all for now.

I’m praying for you... I’m praying for all of us...

Love, Arielle

*This song popped in my mind as I typed “Let the Holy Spirit be your comfort and guide.” ENJOY.

https://youtu.be/gKEjewWKuEo