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Men of Integrity, Nov/Dec 2000
I Shouldn't Be the First
This Week's Theme: Racial Bridge-Building
Tuesday, December 19
Key Bible Verse: "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7b).
Bonus Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:11-13
Last fall, I preached at a white church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The pastor told me that no black had ever preached in his church before. It was founded in the 1700s! That was the last thing I wanted to hear. I'm 44. I don't need to be, and shouldn't be, the first black anything anymore—especially in the Christian community!
I dreaded going to this church. As I walked in, people were staring.
But as I preached, the folks began to laugh at my jokes. After the service, the people were warm and genuine. The ladies began to hug me. A young boy told me the sermon kept him awake and shared some Cheerios with me.
All of this made me ashamed and embarrassed at myself and my own prejudging. I wouldn't have believed that these folks would be so accepting of me. I'm glad I have a God who loves me enough to put me in situations like this so that I might grow spiritually. I wonder if any of you have had experiences like this—or did you bail out before you had a chance to see the people's heart?
—Clarence Shuler in Winning the Race to Unity
Respond:
This week, go out of your way to interact with someone of another race. Give yourself time to see his heart.
Thought to Apply:
Eleven o'clock Sunday morning is still the most segregated hour of the week, and I don't know anybody who can be self-righteous about church integration.
—Andrew Young (politician)
Adapted from: Winning the Race to Unity (Moody Press, Moody Bible Institute, 1998).
NOTE: For your convenience, Winning the Race to Unity is available in the ChristianityToday.com Shopping Channel.
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Prayer for the Week |
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God, bless me with the friendship of someone who's different from me. Help me to honor your blessing.
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