How Are You Shocked?
The latest sexual predator to be ousted, Harvey Weinstein, joins the parade of powerful men who’ve used their money and power to victimize women. It didn’t surprise me that Weinstein had sexually harassed dozens of women. The fact that high profile women kept silent because of shame and fear didn’t surprise me. The list of disgusting acts didn’t surprise me. What surprised me was everyone else’s surprise.
Jesus is Not Your Security Blanket
As I sat down with a student I was discipling, she boldly said, “It’s okay; I don’t need to worry about my job, because God knows the plans he has for me, and they’re for me to prosper and what not.” Ignoring the fact that she blatantly took the Scripture verse out of context, I pressed her to explain what she meant. Since she loved God, she reasoned it would all turn out all right. Unfortunately, seeing Jesus as our security blanket—seeing Jesus as the one whose sole purpose is to protect us from harm, keep us safe from the world, and give us comfort—is common. It plays into our need and desire for safety. However, if he really were our security blanket, we would miss out on the depths of the freedom and growth that he offers us.
Don't Judge the Reaction, Listen to the Pain
For 10 years, I've listened to donors say they couldn't support me. For 10 years, I've listened to the Christian community say I couldn't preach. For 10 years, I have listened to micro-aggressive comments. And all, solely because I am a woman. When a colleague said he didn't believe in women in leadership to a younger woman, I broke. I felt like I was being told my voice was unimportant. I was ashamed that I had not paved the way for women to follow me into leadership. In that moment, I wasn't thinking about editing my response. I wasn't concerned with how people would perceive my actions, I just needed to deal with the pain and my outburst was unprofessional.
Our Relationship With Money
It’s the root of all evil. It makes the world go round. It’s why you choose certain jobs. You hate it because you never have enough; it causes you to feel inferior to those who have more. You love it because it allows you to buy stuff and experiences. It makes you feel like you’re worth something when you have it. It’s money. Everybody has a relationship with money; only those who have it are naïve enough to think it doesn’t matter.
Inspired to Love the Stranger
Sandwiched in time between two catastrophic storms, the debate about undocumented immigrants raised it's head this week. The decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals - referred to commonly as DACA - was announced. DACA allowed children, who were brought to the United States illegally "to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and eligibility for a work permit." This executive order by President Obama allowed 800,000 young people - called dreamers - relief from the fear of being forced to leave their homes.
Why I Spoke Up
My toddler sobbed uncontrollably as she tried to open the door. I calmly – or at least I tried to be calm – told her that she had to wear a diaper. She continued to pout. I continued to wait. After sobbing for a few minutes, she reluctantly realized that I was right. When God asked me to speak out publicly about racial reconciliation, I threw a tantrum that mimicked my daughter's. Like my daughter, I wanted to do it my way.
Invited To Follow
As a southern woman, I was taught the art of perfection. I was groomed to be polished – defined by acting with grace and being well mannered. The fear of changing the status quo was communicated by the celebration of history. Southern men were asked to protect the image of our culture. Southerner's value family, faith and patriotism. We worship a romanticized past. All of this creates a perfect picture. The picture is painted with various landscapes. The core of the picture is an idealized view of how we perceive ourselves.