How to Respond: Individual Edition
There have been many posts over the years laying out ways that individuals can respond to the trauma of racism and hatred. You can follow the best list out there, but if Holy Spirit isn’t leading you to it, then it will always be lacking. That is part of the reason I haven’t created my own list…until now. I have prayed and asked Holy Spirit to highlight ways that I can share with you, but please invite Holy Spirit into where HE is leading you!
In response to the death of Patrick Lyoya in Grand Rapids, Michigan and the division that I saw in my own community I wrote a blog called, How to Respond: Church Edition. Today, in response to the many questions I have received since Sunday’s shooting in Buffalo, I have created a list of ways for individuals to respond.
1) Pray for Holy Spirit to search our hearts and repent. Call others to search their hearts because iron sharpens iron. Then pray together for the spiritual stronghold of racism to be destroyed.
There is a painting I love that is entitled the Poison Tree by Bette Dickerson. It is a painting of Manchineel, all parts of this tree are fatal to anyone who eat it. In the painting you just see the stump, the ax, the roots and a little sprout of something new. In the devotional guide that Dickerson wrote to go with the art she explains the significance of each.
The ax represents the sins of omission, or the places where we “laid down our axes” instead of making sure everything was uprooted.
The roots represent the sin of the systems in our heart and mind that are poisonous. Repenting and turning away from systems that keep us in bondage are necessary for building true ethnic unity and peace.
Finally, the new sprout represents how when we repent from sin it makes room for Holy Spirit to grow something new. We can dream with Holy Spirit about what healed communities look like when the poison of racism is uprooted.
2) Grow Compassion. Some of these cultural moments are cut and dry hatred, some are more complicated. All of these can trigger trauma and deepen division. While a dictionary might define compassion along the lines of being sympathetic of someone else’s suffering, the Bible uses the term in an infinitely deeper way. God is described as compassionate. He was compassionate towards us in our imperfect, profoundly human state. In our sin, God had compassion. He was moved to action, joining us in our humanness, providing healing, promising restoration.
3) Host conversations or book clubs around Biblical views of justice. Justice is a BIBLICAL concept, so the church is called to be the leaders of it! If you are not comfortable leading the conversation (yet) I know people who would love to lead the conversation if you are willing to host in your church or home.
4) Get involved in or support individuals who work in reconciliation. Some of my most trusted relationships are within organizations like Civil Righteousness, Race and Grace with 24-7 Prayer, and One Race. The individuals who work in these arenas have heavy conversations daily, many of them are volunteers or missionaries. Prayers, a kind text message, a self-care gift card, or a monthly partnership is wildly impactful to us.
5) Less than 1% of international missionaries from the United States are African American. There is something special about someone whose family has come from oppression telling others about the freedom of Jesus Christ. You can help this powerful message go forth by becoming financial partners with Black Missionaries. If you do not know anyone, I have a list.
Contact me at Nicole@NicolePoolman.com for more resources.
Again, whatever you decide invite Holy Spirit into the process. He is faithful to complete the work started in you!