Privilege and Unity
Dear Calvary Family,
Privilege. That's a loaded word in our political climate. I know a lot of people don't like to hear about white privilege. As a white male I can relate to some of the push back against it, but if I really stop and think about it, my "privilege" is off the charts. I'm a middle class, private school educated, Christian white man raised by two incredible parents in Orange County, California in the USA. My privilege covers almost every conceivable category.
Have you ever stopped to consider your privilege?
February is Black History Month. This is a moment in time to remember the tragic history of American slavery, Jim Crow, and pervasive racism in the United States. We also celebrate the heroic figures that suffered and persevered to make so many positive changes. But we should not forget that the work is not finished. Racism, prejudice, and privilege still exist in our country.
There's that word again. Privilege. You are either nodding your head in agreement with me or starting to get defensive and a little upset. But why? We all have some kind of privilege. It doesn't mean that you've never struggled or been looked down upon unfairly. It doesn't mean you haven't worked hard to earn success in life. Privilege certainly doesn't mean you are bad or good. It's simply a reality to recognize that we do not live in a pure meritocracy.
We are a church of many different people - black, white, Latino, Asian, and more. We are a church of different ages. We are a church of different socio-economic levels. We are a church of people with massively varying levels of privilege in our society.
Have you ever stopped and really considered your privilege?
How easy is it for you to speak English? How hard was it to get your first loan? How afraid do you feel when getting pulled over by the police? What's the public school like in your neighborhood? How represented do you feel when watching TV? What does Jesus look like in your head? (Hopefully Jewish!)
The absolute number one privilege we have is that we are sons and daughters of the King of Kings. We are literally princes and princesses of the ruler of the entire universe. That's real privilege! And that's a unifying force in the midst of all the differences that we have. We are probably more similar than we think to the people sitting next to us in church, even if we are a totally different gender, age, or ethnicity. Our belief in Jesus Christ should unify us together more than anything!
So I would ask that this Black History Month, you take that privilege and unity that we have in Jesus and allow it to give you the security to recognize that some of your brothers and sisters in Christ are hurting. Some of your brothers and sisters in Christ are scared. Some of your brothers and sisters in Christ feel like you don't care about them. Some of your brothers and sisters in Christ have a much different experience in the world than you.
I personally am praying that our unity in Christ will allow us to celebrate the unique differences that we all have. I love my Swedish and English heritage- we have some awesome food and culture to share. I love celebrating the cultural beauty of my Black, Latino and Asian friends. I also know that British heritage has been at the forefront of the scene for a long time, and it's ok for me to step back and honor my brothers and sisters in this season. I can follow Christ's example to decrease so that others may increase. And it's my pleasure and privilege to do so.
Psalm 133:1 - "How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity."
Our Vision: Calvary Church seeks to be a church family that is better together, being changed by the gospel, to love like Jesus across all cultures and generations.
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
Pastor Eric Wakeling