Thankful to Press In Together

Recounting a Civil Rights educational experience by Ron Sutherland

In the Fall of 2019, I learned about this incredible opportunity to go with a trusted friend, Rev. Greg Dyson, his wife, and others from Taylor University to encounter the difficult reality of our country and culture’s failure in loving and caring for our black fellow neighbors and citizens. What looked like a great opportunity seemed lost when the reality of life came crashing in. My mother was diagnosed with brain cancer and her journey was uncertain. I canceled going on the civil rights trip out of the need and desire to care for my mom as she journeyed to heaven. But mom’s journey through cancer was, blessedly, short. I called at the last minute and Greg was gracious to allow me to join the trip at the last minute. So, amid the recent loss of my mom, I journeyed with others to the south. I saw locations, museums, and historical sites that are now forever etched in my memory. But beyond what I saw, I learned that these tragic images and facts of history are necessary for me to process and ponder. They allow and require me to dig deeper into my own thoughts and challenges with my approach to relating to my fellow man who happens to be black by God’s design. And it broadens from there to allow me to stretch my thoughts to anyone who is different from me.

I have had the pleasure of traveling to many countries and worshipping with others that are different from me. Those cross-cultural experiences were a blessing. But this trip, this trip forced me to become more relationally, culturally, intellectually, even emotionally connected to those in my own country who have not been allowed to earn the same set of freedoms and experiences as I have been blessed to have.
I would recommend this trip to anyone seeking to move from head knowledge of the challenges of race in our homeland to a more deeply known, felt, and experienced level of interaction with the issues confronted by our brothers and sisters.  And to do so with friends who will open the word of God, allow us to work through all that we experience with faith as our primary guide is an incredible blessing.

The trip is organizational and travel-wise well done. But it is not easy. However, in my opinion, what you experience on this trip is necessary in order to move closer to an understanding of the issues that continue to need my and our attention. 
This trip is covered with prayer and God’s word. That allows us to have certainty that our savior, Jesus Christ, is our common hope. With the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we are then allowed to confront and process the ways each of us and our country can change for our collective good.

All for God’s glory.

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Revelation 7:9

ESV: 9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,

NIV: 9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

NKJV: 9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands,

Matthew 5:23-24

ESV: 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

NIV: 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

NKJV: 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 18:15-17

ESV: 15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

NIV: 15 “If your brother or sister[a] sins,[b] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’[c] 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

NKJV: 15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

 

Micah 6:8

ESV: He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,[a]
and to walk humbly with your God?

NIV: He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly[a] with your God.

NKJV: He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?

Genesis 1:27

ESV: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

NIV: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

NKJV: So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

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