Prejudice Unveiled

Webster defines prejudice: "preconceived judgment or opinion (2): an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge." Several weeks ago a friend was coming over to hang out. She came through my front door asking if I could come with her outside. One of my neighbors was having car trouble and had asked her for a jump. She didn't know them, so asked if I would come with her.

We went over and introduced ourselves. I was sad to find out that these neighbors had lived there for several months and I was just now meeting them. The guys were wearing baggy pants and one guy had a "doo-rag" and some heavy gold chains. Their step-dad came out and he didn't look much older than them, in dred-locks. We started talking with them as they were using the jumper cables. We found out that both of the younger guys were in the army and were here on a respite. Almost immediately my opinion of them changed, improved. Then as we walked back down to my house, my heart was saddened. This small interaction revealed the prejudice in my heart.

Why was it that once I found out that they were in the army I was impressed? It was hard for me to admit, but I had just assumed by the way they were dressed that they were "gangsters," high school drop-outs. I never would have shared that with anyone else, because I didn't even realize I was thinking it! I was pre-judging them based on their race, clothing and where they lived.

Another time I had found a chair on the side of the road that my friend Vickie helped me load onto the top of my van. When I got home, I was trying to pull it off by myself, of course. A young man came by and asked me if I needed any help. I hesitated and then said no because I was afraid he would ask me for money after he helped me. (which has happened before). He insisted on helping me as I almost dropped the chair on my foot and helped me carry it up to the porch. I didn't make eye contact because I was expecting the question. But he very politely said, "you have a good day, ma'am." And he walked away. I was both shocked and thankful for his kindness that I yelled out, "thank you so much!" Why did I assume that he wasn't doing this out of kindness, but for gain? Because he was a young guy walking through my neighborhood? Again, prejudice unveiled.

I'm so glad that I live where I do. Living here keeps me aware of these prejudices. Over and over the Lord has shown me His deep love for all people: drug dealers, prostitutes, addicts, the homeless. As He has unveiled the ugly prejudices in my heart, I've asked Him to replace it with genuine love and compassion for all. We have no idea the pain and struggle that people have been dealt. So who are we to label and categorize people? God is not asking us to be naive and put ourselves in dangerous situations. But He is asking us to cross barriers by building relationships with our "neighbor." If we are living out of His Spirit we would be compassionate towards all people and accept them as individuals, even if/when we do get burned.

It's easy for us to say to a drug addict, "Just stop using." Or to a family on welfare, "just get a job." But we don't know their struggles or their story. Why do we look down on the poor, when we are poor ourselves. Why are our struggles more "acceptable" within the church? It could be said to us, "stop being a workaholic" or "stop making money your god" or "stop striving for significance from people or your stuff." We all have deep struggles and God accepts us all. The ground at the foot of the cross is level, sin is sin. God does not love us any more than the drug dealer just because our sin might be more acceptable or unseen by others.

Living in Glenwood is a constant reminder to me of God's grace. His grace for my judgmental heart and His grace for the lost. He longs for us to extend that grace across the barriers of prejudice. He longs for reconciliation among His people. That's what He's about! Thankfully! Pray that God would reveal prejudice in your heart. At the grocery store, at the park, at church. Believe me, it's there! Then ask Him to replace it with compassion, He longs to do that! Get to know some of the people that you are prejudice towards. You will be surprised and your heart will be changed.