Color Blind: A problem

"I'm color blind."

It's a popular stance and there are a lot of people who say it. In my opinion it is not altogether a view that you should take. There are times that being 'colorblind' isn't a bad thing. The way in which we treat people cannot be based upon the color of their skin. However, I'm not sure that being wholly indifferent to the differences in people is Biblical. The Body of Christ is made up of people from all over the world and will one day be made from people of every tribe and nation and tongue according to Revelation 7:9.

Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our Image, according to Our likeness."Genesis 1:26a

"For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother's womb.
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from You, 
When I was made in secret and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;-Psalm 139:13-15

The way we look is a personal thing. God has personally created every person that has been or ever will be on this Earth. He is not like a baker who uses a mold so that each person is exactly the same. There are nuances to us all, things that go beyond the physical. But people don't say I'm personality blind. They say color blind. It seems to me, that in saying that they are expressing their view that it's alright for people to see the differences in personality or skills in each person but unless you ignore skin color you are a horrible person. Let me be clear this isn't a commendation of racism. Racism has no place and isn't Biblical in the slightest. 

I am however condemning the practice of teaching people, children especially, that you shouldn't see the color of someone. The verses above clearly point to the fact that we as people are made in the image of our God. Where is the wrong in that? What is so horrible that we refuse to allow our children to see the glory of God in His children? He has wrought us with his hands in His image. If we can joyfully see and enjoy the differences of flowers and the rest of God's creation why can we not see and enjoy God's handiwork in ourselves?  Not in a narcissistic way but simply admiring the fact that we were made, singly, one at a time in the image of the Creator of all things. The flowers, the animals, the universe; All of those things are beautiful but only people bear God's image. That has to mean something to us. Why can't we see that? When did we become so careful to sound politically correct that we abandoned the truth that God formed us specifically to look like Him? Instead we teach children to only notice that John is a talented athlete or Mary can make anyone laugh but the moment you try and teach a child that every person is created by God and that while we are all people we do look different you have crossed an invisible line. 

Being branded as a racist or a bigot is usually the result. You're an outcast at best. We cannot do such things or hold such views. Look at Psalm 139:14 again. 

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.

Fearfully and wonderfully made! Beautiful words, powerful words. Notice it doesn't say you made me to look and be like everyone else. It says fearfully and wonderfully. Cherish that. You were made by God to be you. You look how you look,  have the personality you have, the likes and dislikes, and to possess the talents that you do because God made you specifically, for a specific purpose. It bears repeating endlessly, God made you  PERSONALLY. 

I realize that this could be a slippery slope and people could spurn me for saying such things. I'm sure that there are people who are out there,maybe who will read this blog that will disagree with me. People that will possibly say that I'm promoting a view of people that isn't helpful to society.  On that I am afraid we will have to agree to disagree. I for one won't ignore the obvious handiwork of my Father. I refuse to be a parent one day who will teach their kids that color doesn't exist. It does, and it's a beautiful thing. Revel in God's handiwork and His choice to make us different. 

As Life Goes On

Today I had the privilege to see one of my best friends in the world walk across the stage at UT's graduation. In that moment a skinny bespectacled kid I met when I was eleven and he was eight became a skinny no longer bespectacled grown man with his life ahead of him and a bachelors in journalism.

Gage Arnold has been there for me since my junior year of high school. Nearly seven years later and he has seen me through countless low points and highs. I've cried with him, prayed with him and for the past four years had many text conversations when he wasn't at home. Mundane topics and serious ones were intermingled with sports talk and the occasional comment about Anna Kendrick. 

Most of the time I refer to him as brother. He might not have been born into my family but he is my brother in all sense of the word.  He has been referred to as brother number 5 by my sister for years. In Greek the word for brother is adelphos, meaning both blood relation and one who is in Christ. Since I've known him I've had the immense privilege to be spurred on in my walk with God by him and I hope vice versa. 

When life gets confusing it's usually Gage that I go to. He's the one who will pray with me and give me advice and just listen to me rant and ramble about what is going on. Those times are quite regular and it's surprising that he still has ears. Likewise it's been great over the years to be able to share with him his own triumphs and valleys. Witnessing how God was moving throughout his life in college as opportunities were placed before him to write for the Daily Beacon and The Knoxville News Sentinel and a trip to Sweden with CRU has been truly amazing. 

In a few months he will start another chapter in his life as this one ends. He will be writing again, this time in Nashville. Life will go on and new experiences will be made. He will no doubt be grown and have a great time doing it. When that chapter ends there is no knowing where he will go next and I cannot wait to watch where God will take this brother of mine next both in his career and in his daily walk with Christ. 

It's exciting to see my friends move on and watching their lives unfold. Though I often wonder where mine will take me and when it will begin. I look forward to many more years of doing life with my best friend and many more talks as life goes on.