Freedom From Racism

I used to be racist. I always knew there was something wrong with my racists thoughts. There is something about hate that doesn't sit well with the soul. But I never thought I had a "problem" because I convinced myself that "everybody thinks like this...this is normal."

Then one day a friend of mine told me. "I wish I had twelve sons who married twelve women from twelve different countries." He was all about racial reconciliation. There was still a little trace of racism in my heart. I had a small thought of, "gosh I hope my kids marry their 'own.'  It would be weird to have a (insert race here) in the family."

Nobody likes a little bit of poop in their ice cream; it ruins the whole batch. And at that moment my eyes were openened even more. Although not fully racist like before (i.e. letting thoughts go uncontrolled in all directions) I had just a little bit still in me and it was destroying my peace and joy -  Because that's all it takes.  Just a little bit of poop to ruin the whole thing (for my buddy Tommy.  NO. You can't pick it out.  Its blended in there bro!).  Here's my advice to everybody: when you notice poop in your ice cream, STOP LICKING.  Get rid of that via confession.  Expose your sin.  Expose your racism.  Talk about it to the people God put in your life.  Don't hide it or convince yourself, "this is not THAT bad."  Time to own it and realize your need for salvation/the Savior.  And guess what, you will never get rid of that racism via behavior modification.  It takes heart renovation. And Jesus is in the business of heart renovation.  Thank God.

This afternoon I told my son, "If/when you get married, I want you to marry whomever you want - so long as you love her...black, white, Indian, Iraqi, Afghani, Iranian, it doesn't matter buddy.  So long as you love her..."

Today my racism is gone. And here's the catch. I think God did the work of saving me from it. When I get to heaven, I can't imagine that I'll be able to tell God, "hey Lord. Do you like how I cleaned up my soul. Got rid of racism and a bunch of other junk. You impressed?"

I'm convinced he'll chuckle and whisper back to me something like, "I saved you my son. Welcome home."