Went to Sam’s to pick up a rotisserie chicken and a macaroni and cheese for supper—convenient and quick after getting back from a marching band regional competition at 3:00 AM. I noticed and appreciated all the diversity I encountered—the different generations, a multitude of hues and accents, various ethnicities and countries of origin. I felt a certain joy in it. I found myself thinking, “This is the America I desire. A place where all kinds of folks find welcome and home. A place where we can make and share community together. Heck, where we do the simply things like shop at Sam’s together and make space for one another as we check out the prepared foods.”
But I know this not the America everyone wants. Too many minds and mouths are full of racism, bigotry, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia and all other kinds of discrimination based in hatred and fear. Not a few of them will just as quickly profess faith in Jesus. Honestly, I simply cannot comprehend that. Now, I know the long history of Christian faith and practice being poisoned by hate. It’s just hard for me to see folks so blinded by it.
So some humble advice, be aware of how easily hate and evil can slip into your thinking about others—especially others who are different from you. And as well, be aware of folks who can as easily proclaim Christ as they can spew fear and hate and dehumanize others. Ask yourself, “Do they really know Jesus?”
Well, I must say if you haven’t tried Sam’s rotisserie chicken you’re kind of missing out on a tasty deal. And if that’s not your thing, at least take a stroll through a Sam’s or Costco, a local festival, a farmer’s market or some other place where folks gather, and find there a certain joy in the diversity we are and the diversity we ought to embrace and celebrate.
Holy Encounter 